What should you do if you become lost while navigating?

When navigating, becoming lost can be disorienting and alarming. The most prudent action is to stop, assess your location, and re-evaluate your situation. This allows you to gather your thoughts, reduce panic, and think critically about your surroundings.

By halting your movement, you can prevent further disorientation that might occur from continuing in the wrong direction. Assessing your location involves identifying recognizable landmarks, using your map and compass effectively, and possibly retracing your steps to a known point. This methodical approach increases the likelihood of regaining a sense of direction and avoids making a poor situation worse.

Taking immediate action, such as calling for help, while it might seem tempting, should generally be a last resort after you've taken the time to assess your situation. Conversely, keeping moving blindly can lead you further from your desired destination, and ignoring the problem altogether puts you at greater risk. Overall, stopping to assess and plan your next steps is the most logical and strategic response when lost.