How to Survive When You’re Lost in a City

Discovering a new city can be both thrilling and daunting, but learning its ins and outs will give you an edge when it comes to survival.

Remain calm. Only act when there is good reason.

Take Mental Notes

Finding yourself lost in a city can be terrifyingly disorienting. Between all of the busy roads and tall buildings towering overhead, it can be easy to become disorientated quickly. But there are some simple tricks you can employ in order to stay on track and prevent yourself from ever becoming truly disoriented again.

Begin by mentally noting your surroundings. Keep an eye out for any familiar infrastructures, tourist attractions or landmarks which will assist in getting back on the right path once lost. This will allow for easier orienting later.

Alternative navigation techniques include using your compass or following the sun. As it rises from east and sets from west, this will give a clear indication of which direction to head in. Inquiring with locals may also prove fruitful: they may be happy to assist while practicing your foreign language skills while potentially discovering shortcuts you would have missed on your own!

Backtrack to the Last Recognizable Place

If you find yourself lost in the woods, breaking points such as roads, powerlines, rivers, statues or major streets may help guide your return journey. Also look out for any signs of human habitation like gnarly trees or tracks in the snow that suggest people are present; intersections in cities can provide useful guides as they provide North-South and East-West reference points.

When lost, try and return to the last place you can remember in your mind if possible. This will provide some sense of direction and prevent panicking. Backtrack is a new feature in watchOS 9 that helps users regain their way; it creates a virtual breadcrumb trail which acts like a virtual breadcrumb trail on Apple Watches that creates an “explode” or “bouncing white line in your compass. Learn more here.” It is available on Apple Watch Series 6 or later models as well as on SE.

Ask a Local

Locals know the best of a city, so it’s advisable to seek assistance from those familiar with it. They will often share their knowledge freely while giving you an opportunity to practice foreign languages more quickly. Furthermore, this approach provides greater safety than wandering aimlessly, helping you return quickly to your starting point.

Keep an eye out for landmarks; remembering what they are may prove useful if you become disoriented; even experienced New Yorkers need landmarks like the Empire State Building and Carnegie Deli to orient themselves properly.

Stay calm and remember that becoming lost in a city doesn’t have to be terrifying; just breathe, take mental notes, and retrace your steps; the key to survival when lost is keeping a positive outlook.

Stay Calm

No matter how difficult the situation seems, try your best to remain calm. Panic can only cause bad decisions that put your life in peril.

Every year, thousands of hikers become lost and eventually find their way home – often with an amazing story to share! Common sense, navigational skills and calm composure are vital elements in staying alive in any situation.

Becoming lost in a city can be an incredible adventure that you should embrace and relish! Don’t let nerves get the best of you; soon enough you will find your way back. After all, this is not a desert where no people exist and rescue teams will arrive sooner or later to rescue you! Remember: getting lost is not a survival situation but rather an adventure waiting to be discovered – enjoy discovering! P.S: don’t forget your emergency kit… you never know when it might come in handy!