>>2755428Horrid advice, especially if people report you missing. Water often goes where people cannot, especially in regards to elevation and it's a great way to ensure that you are in a place where people won't find you. This only works if you already know that there is civilization down river and that the land is transversable.
In the larger scope I would say in order.
Ability to track or navigate your position to prevent yourself from getting lost in the first place. Check often, be aware of trail markings if using established trails. It's tempting to leave a marked route but you really need to know how to get back to it, trails often become invisible from 10s of feet away. Personally I carry a signal panel and it goes on the pack/tarp/tree so I can spot it at a distance. The Largay case is a textbook example of leaving sight of the trail and being unable to navigate back.
Keep yourself alive. Even on just an extended day hike bring the ability to get and store water, to create a little shelter for yourself, be warm enough. Understand your environment and what conditions can be like even if they are currently favorable. People often get in trouble because they under estimate how fast storms move in, how fast temps can drop.
Signal for help. A million ways to do it really. GPS unit, phone with satellite, pen flares, signal mirror, signal panel. Have multiple options learn to use them. Stop thinking you're him and assume that it can happen to you.
