Knowing where you are, where you are going, and how to get there seems like an easy proposition, but a lot of things can go wrong, with consequences ranging from nothing to catastrophic. It does not matter if you are navigating in a city or in the wilderness, some basic skills and habits can keep you safe and on track.

Tip 1: Tech is Great, Until it Isn’t.
Today’s mapping apps and GPS technology are fantastic, and I don’t know how we survived in those dark ages (25 years ago) before it became a part of daily life. The problem is that I’ve become dependent on it, and when it fails, I’m in a world of hurt. Batteries can die, dead spots still exist (especially in the backcountry), and it can be fooled by road construction and faulty updates. Learn how your devices work, how they can betray you, and never assume they will not fail.

Tip 2: The Route Recon.
Before you start, check a map or your device and make sure you thoroughly understand your route. I have blindly punched in a destination in my vehicle’s navigation system and started driving, only to become confused because I didn’t understand which cities I should be going through, or the specific highways I should be on. I once had the device set for “shortest route” and it took me off the Interstate and onto a series of windy county roads to save a couple of miles—and added about 30 minutes to the trip. If you are hunting or hiking, note obstacles like water, hills, or steep terrain. These environmental objects can also be used as waypoints (e.g. that creek is about halfway to the stand) or an indication you are off your path (the only creek in the area is in front of me, but it’s on the neighbor’s land!).

Tip 3: Have an Escape Plan.
When doing your route recon, work out an escape plan in case you do get lost. I know, it will never happen—right? Instead of “lost” let’s just call it “highly confused.” But if you know that a mile east of your stand is a road, and two miles north is a highway, you just need to head east or north until you hit the road and then you can get help. How to know which way is east or north? You do have an analog compass with you, right? The compass app on my phone is great, as long as I have a signal and the battery is good. But it’s best to be prepared for the worst!

Tip 4: Seat-Of-The-Pants Navigation.
If you are facing north, then east will be to your right, south is behind you, and west is on the left. In the morning or afternoon, you can use the sun to establish east and west, but if it is close to noon, it will take a few minutes. Place a stick vertically in the ground and position a small rock at the end of the stick’s shadow. Wait 15-20 minutes and place a second rock where the shadow now ends. Drawing a line between the rocks will establish an east-west line. If the sky is overcast and there are no shadows, well, that’s why you always need to carry a compass.

Tip 5: Don’t Panic!
Should you ever find yourself “highly confused” in the woods the most important thing to remember is to not panic. Work through the problem, come up with a plan of action, and take steps to extricate yourself from your predicament. Disaster can be averted if you follow the standard advice and have gear and supplies with you, let someone know where you will be and what time you are expected back, and have a map and compass with you (along with the knowledge of how to use them). If you didn’t heed that advice, you may have an uncomfortable night in the field. The choice is yours.