JEANINE MELANSON WALKED DAILY in the 2,300-acre nature park near her home in Moncton, New Brunswick. She was familiar with its maintained trails. Her family knew where she was going and when she would return. She always dressed warmly, carried water, a walking stick and a two-way Family Radio Service (FRS) unit, an improved walkie-talkie, just in case. On January 16, 2007, "just in case" became reality. It was a pleasant day and, after an hour, Melanson ventured into new territory. She took a wrong turn. Disoriented, she kept walking, assuming she'd encounter the trail again. She did not. She tried her radio but couldn't reach her husband. It started snowing. Thousands find themselves in similar situations every year. Some walk out on their own, some are found by ground search and rescue volunteers. Some die. It can happen to anyone. Whether you like picking berries, hunting, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or using ATVs or snowmobiles, it pays to prepare carefully for any excursion. An injury or sudden weather shift can easily turn a pleasant jaunt into an emergency. Jeanine Melanson eventually made radio contact with her husband, who called the RCMP. While she awaited rescue, her clothing kept her dry and the water kept her hydrated. Seachers found her in a snowstorm at 7 p.m., six hours after she'd set out. She was thankful she had been prepared. She still walks daily in the park, but sticks to well-defined trails. 9 tips that could save a life Before leaving home: Familiarize yourself with the terrain. Research and prepare for topography, distances, weather, animals and hazards. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. For longer excursions, make an itinerary detailing date and time of departure, expected arrival, descriptions of group members, planned route, overnight stops and supplies taken. Leave it with a trusted friend or family member, with instructions to call the RCMP immediately should you not appear by the agreed time. When RCMP activate the search and rescue personnel, this itinerary will help narrow the search area. What to take Wet clothing contributes to hypothermia, a danger in any season. Choose clothing of wickable, breathable fabrics and dress in layers. A windbreaker can scrunch into a fanny pack until needed. Build a mini trip kit for all outdoor excursions, even short ones. (See the sidebar.) Learn how to use each item. Bring a cell phone and/or FRS, available at department stores and outdoors specialty shops. (FRS units have limited range and should be tested first.) Bring granola bars or candy for energy, and plenty of water. A Ziploc bag with sportsdrink powder to mix with water will replace electrolytes lost through perspiration on hot days. A child should always carry a Fox40 whistle around the neck and a large orange garbage bag tucked into a pocket. With a face hole cut just below one corner, it fits like a hooded cape - an effective and highly visible shelter in rain or emergency, to keep warm and dry. A Fox40 whistle blast can be heard two kilometres, and blowing a whistle expends less energy than calling out. What if you become lost? Don't let panic replace logic. Stop, sit down, and gather your thoughts. Search and rescue volunteers teach children to find a big tree and hug it. The tree becomes a friend providing shelter and company. It should be large enough to offer shelter, and be near a pond or clearing so, if the child hears an aircraft, he or she can move into the open and lie down, arms and legs splayed for maximum visibility. A nest of branches and leaves built beneath the tree will keep a person off damp ground. These rules apply for adults as well. Continued wandering means risking injury and expending vital energy. Energy is best spent making a shelter, finding water, building a fire, if necessary, and awaiting rescue. Mark pieces of flagging tape with a date, time and message, and tie them in visible places nearby. Leave expendable candy wrappers or other bright-coloured objects out in the open. The more preparation you do, the better the odds that rescue personnel will find you. Trip kit Store these in a Ziploc bag in your gear, or in a fanny pack: Jackknife Waterproof matches AND a lighter (each backs up the other) Signal mirror Fox40 whistle Flashlight and spare batteries Granola or energy bars Compass Fluorescent flagging tape Waterproof black marker Compact reflective survival blanket (found in department stores) Largeorange garbage bag Energy drink powder Water purification tablets First aid kit Source: Safe and Sound Resources Safe and Sound, by Gordon Snow. This compact booklet has excellent tips for surviving in the woods. The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada website (www.sarvac.ca/) has downloadable trip plan forms, trip itinerary and wallet cards with steps to take in case of emergency. RCMP Hug-a-Tree Program offers a downloadable colouring book showing children what to do if they are lost.