Published on: 2026-07-21
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
With the arrival of summer, the unified emergency call number 112 in Moscow regularly receives calls from residents who have gotten lost while enjoying the outdoors, as well as from their relatives. How to prepare for a walk in the forest and what to do if a person loses their bearings was explained by in the complex of Moscow’s urban economy.
Most often, help is needed by those who went into the forest unprepared. The cause can be a discharged phone, lack of signal, inability to determine one’s location, or an unfamiliar route. Rescuers often assist elderly people who went into the forest alone and could not find their way back on their own.
In calls to the emergency services single number 112, residents often report about relatives who have not been in contact for a long time, forgotten medications at home, and phones that have run out of battery. For example, recently a woman called the 112 service and reported that her husband got lost in the forest. Before his phone died, the man managed to contact the police, where he was advised to stay in place. After that, contact with him was lost.
Rescuers are dispatched to search for people. In difficult cases, volunteers from search squads and canine units join them. At the same time, many dangerous situations can be avoided by preparing for the walk in advance.
Before going into the forest, specialists advise choosing bright clothing, taking water, a small supply of food, and necessary medicines. It is also important to study the route in advance, inform close ones where you are going and when you plan to return, specify the forest entry point and the intended path. The phone should be fully charged before the walk, and in case of no mobile internet — download an offline map of the area. It is better to plan the route so as to return before dark.
Specialists of the capital Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection they also remind about the rules of conduct in natural areas. In the forest, it is forbidden to make fires in undesignated places: the fire may harm plants and animals, as well as cause a fire.
Caution should also be exercised when encountering wild animals. During the breeding season, they may protect their offspring and behave aggressively. If a person sees a fox, wild boar, or moose while walking, they should not approach the animal, try to take a photo, or run away. It is better to calmly move away without attracting attention.
It is recommended to move through the forest along well-trodden paths. This will help preserve landmarks and reduce the risk of damaging rare plants and bird habitats.
If you are unable to get out of the forest on your own, you should immediately call 112, report the situation, and follow the specialists’ instructions. After that, it is important to stay in place — this will make it easier for rescuers to find the person.
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Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.