Safe and Sound: How Not to Get Lost in the Woods and How to Survive If You Do

Allen H. Soroka is assistant law librarian at the University of British
Columbia Law Library.

Every day brings a report of people lost in the bush, and often near
well-traveled roads and population centres. Gordon Snow is a retired
RCMP officer, and a leader of many search-and-rescue teams during and
after his police career. One of his recommendations in this
pocket-sized, informative, and useful book: “Before you go on any hike
tell someone where you are headed and leave your boot impressions with
that person on a sheet of aluminum foil. This sample will help rescuers
follow your footprints.”

The guide comprises four main chapters—“How Not to Get Lost in the
Woods,” “How to Survive If You Do Get Lost,” “Kids in the
Woods,” and “Search and Rescue”—and features diagrams and line
drawings that are simple and instructive. It should be read a few times
in preparation for a trip, and then stuffed in a daypack along with a
map, a compass, dry clothes, emergency rations, a space blanket, and
waterproof matches.

Safe and Sound is an essential work for any-one going outdoors in the
countryside.