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Hug-A-Tree and Survive
HUG-A-TREE and SURVIVE is a Search and Rescue program. It is aimed at children from kindergarten to grade six, and has as its purpose the goal of teaching them:
- how not to become lost in the woods
- what to do if they do become lost
- how not to come to harm
- how they can help searchers find them
 The HUG-A-TREE and SURVIVE Program originated in San Diego, California, U.S.A., following the tragic death of a nine-year-old boy who had become lost. Founders, Mr. Ab Taylor and Mr. Thomas R. Jacobs, developed the program to teach children how to keep from getting lost; what to do if they do become lost; how to stay warm and dry, and how they can help searchers to find them.
You are encouraged to discuss the contents of this handout with your children. We hope your children will never become lost. However, if they do, this knowledge will help your child remember information that can help make the search both short and successful.
The main features of the program involve impressing upon the children that they can help by looking after themselves and by assisting the searchers.
A Recap of the Presentation
- ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING so that the searchers will know where to begin their search.
- ALWAYS CARRY A GARBAGE BAG AND WHISTLE on a picnic, hike or camping trip. If lost, make a hole in the bag for your face and put it over your head: it will keep you dry and warm. A bright coloured bag (orange) is preferable. The noise from a whistle will carry further than your voice and requires less energy.
- ADMIT IT TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU BECOME LOST. It can happen to anyone, even adults. When you become lost, admit it, and take actions to be comfortable and maintain a positive outlook until the searchers arrive. Use you head. It is you best survival tool.
- HUG A TREE once you know that you are lost. One of the greatest fears of a person of any age can have is being alone. Hugging a tree, sitting by a tree, and even talking to it, will calm you down and prevent panic. By staying in one place, you will be found far more quickly, and won't be injured trying to find you own way out.
- YOUR PARENTS WON'T BE ANGRY WITH YOU. Time and time again, children have avoided searchers because they were ashamed of getting lost, and afraid of punishment. Please assure your children that both you and the searchers will be happy to find them. If children know a happy reunion filled with love is awaiting, you will be less frightened, less prone to panic, and will work hard to be found.
- HELP THE SEARCHERS TO FIND YOU. Listen for their yells and whistles, and respond. Children need to know that searchers are friends and volunteers who do it because they care and want to return them to their parents, safe and sound. They need to know that searchers are not strangers who want to hurt them. Children who have not been taught this fact may actually hide from searchers. Children need to understand that if they stay in one spot, it's easier for searchers to find them.
- MAKE YOURSELF BIG. From helicopters, people are hard to see when they are standing up, when they are in a group of trees, or wearing dark and drab clothing. Find your tree to hug near a small clearing if possible. If you are rested, make crosses or other signs with broken shrubbery, rocks, or by dragging your foot in the dirt. Remember to wave your orange bag when you hear the searchers.
- THERE ARE NO ANIMALS OUT THERE THAT WANT TO HURT YOU. If you hear a noise at night, yell at it, or blow your whistle. If it is an animal, it will run away. If it is a searcher, you will be found. Fears of the dark and of "lions and tigers and bears" are a big factor in panicking children into running. They need strong reassurance to stay put and be safe.
Additional information for parents that might be helpful
- TRY TO KEEP YOUR CHILD FROM GETTING LOST in the first place. Children are easily distracted off the trail, so teach them to stay on the trail. Never let your child walk trails alone. Teach them to pick out a high landmark such as a prominent hill, or not the direction of the sun; this prevents disorientation.
- FOOT PRINTING YOUR CHILD is a five-minute exercise that could cut down the time of a search by several hours. Place a piece of aluminum foil on a soft surface such as carpeting or a folded towel. Have the child step on the aluminum foil with his/her hiking shoe. Mark the foil with the child's name. With this print, trackers from the rescue team can separate your child's track from the many others in the area and quickly determine the direction of travel.
- CALL THE POLICE QUICKLY if your child is lost. The search area expands so quickly due to the lost child's possible movements that rapid response is critical. A slow response can be dangerous, especially if bad weather wipes out the track. Exposure and hypothermia are also considerations.
- BE AVAILALBLE FOR INTERVIEWING. Clues which lead to finding the child in good health usually come from family and friends who remain on the scene and talk openly and accurately with the search team. Any personal information will be kept confidential.
Other Links
If is not possible to present, in this handout, all of the information which could be helpful. We will be happy to answer questions or discuss points of interest. HUG-A-TREE and SURVIVE is presented at no charge.
The HUG-A-TREE and SURVIVE Program is a non-profit venture. The Canadian version was developed under Licence issued by Hug-A-Tree and Survive Inc., U.S.A., and funded by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat. The Canadian version was produced and copyrighted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in concert and cooperation with volunteers throughout Canada. The program is presented to children, throughout Canada, by the local police for or jurisdiction and authorized trained agencies and volunteers.
Copyright in Canada 1996. May be duplicated but not altered.
This program is dedicated to
the memory of Jimmy Beveridge
who didn't make it home.
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Last updated: January 30, 2000
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