Skill pillar
Navigation & Signalling
Self-rescue is navigation plus signalling. Walking harder in the wrong direction is not toughness—it is how people die tired and lost.
Scenario
Overcast forest; trail vanished; three hours of light left.
Best first move: STOP and terrain association
STOP: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. Mark your position, listen for traffic/water, then signal before a blind thrash.
Why it matters
In the PSR model, navigation and signalling close the loop: skills keep you alive long enough for experience and mindset to get you home or found.
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STOP and terrain associationSkill ladder
Honest self-check using the same levels as the calculator.
None
Cannot orient without a phone; panics when the trail disappears.
Basic
Can use a simple compass and whistle; knows STOP.
Proficient
Map-and-compass competent; can signal and choose stay vs travel wisely.
Expert
Navigates poor visibility; teaches others; integrates signalling with travel plans.
FAQ
Should I always walk downhill?
Not blindly. Drainages can cliff out or tangle. Prefer known handrails and last known points.
What is the international distress signal?
Three of anything—whistle blasts, fires, or light flashes—repeated.
Rate yourself
Take the PSR assessment and score this skill honestly.