Step 10 of 10 · Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost
Signal and stay put — pass criteria
Signal and stay put — pass criteria — step 10 of 10 in Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost. Three whistle blasts, repeated every minute, is the universal hiking distress signal.
Free outdoor skills tip: Signal and stay put — pass criteria (step 10 of 10 from "Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost").
Three whistle blasts, repeated every minute, is the universal hiking distress signal. If you have no whistle, three of anything: shouts, claps, mirror flashes. Rescuers listen for patterns of three. Stay where you are — moving makes you harder to find.
If you have phone signal, call emergency services and describe your last confirmed position and how long ago you were there. If no signal, stay visible: open ground, bright clothing, headlamp flashing at night. You pass this course when you can: orient a map, identify three checkpoints, navigate a loop, and describe the full lost protocol from memory without notes.
You'll need
- Three blasts repeated every minute
- Stay at current position
- Bright clothing visible
- Last known position described to rescuers
- Full loop navigated on paper map for pass
1 more paragraph in this tip — free with a Learnlyst account.
Create a free account to read the full tip
Unlock “Signal and stay put — pass criteria” plus daily tips. Guides and course pages stay public for search.
From the full photographed course
Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost →This tip is one step — unlock all 10 steps inside Learnlyst.
More Outdoor Skills tips
Ready for the full Learnlyst library?
Free account for daily tips · $9/mo or $79/yr for every course.