Q&A for How to Find Your Way in Deep Forest

If you live in the northern hemisphere, use the north star. If you live in the southern hemisphere, use the southern cross.

Try using a knife to mark or tag trees. If you haven't got a knife, use a rock to strike it repeatedly or scratch it with a sharp stick.

First you must find a water source, because that water bottle won't hold you over for long. Find a spring or stream after you run out of water and fill your bottle. Set it in the sun for at least 8 hours. This will kill bacteria. Next you will need to build a shelter and figure out how you will make fire . Your average adult can survive up to 3 weeks without food, so keep your priorities straight. For food, try setting traps for small game or hunting with a sharpened stick.

Try to find a clearing where the sun is visible. (This will also make it easier for rescuers to spot you from above.) Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Think about what time you started hiking, and how much time has probably passed since then. If it's early in the morning, then the sun will be rising in the east, and the shadows will always fall opposite to the light source, to the west. If it's late afternoon and the sun is beginning to set, the opposite is true. Once you identify which way is east and which way is west, then picture a compass in your head. If the east is on your right side, you are facing north. If the east is on your left side, you are facing south.

It shows if there are any water sources, man-made structures, dangerous areas and good places to camp or hunt if necessary.

If equipped with the proper equipment to navigate back home, one should make efforts to do so. In the deep woods, chances are high that you will have little to no cell reception, so calling people will be unlikely. Instead, prioritize keeping yourself safe, hydrated and calm. If you find yourself getting more lost, stay in place and let yourself be found. If you have navigation equipment, make strong efforts to get to either home or a place where you can be found.

Use your compass to find out where you are going. Look at the line of travel on your map and decide if there are any hazards or obstacles that prevent you from traveling in a straight line. In short, find your target, take the shortest possible route to the target, but also follow the safest route.