Crimeans are lost in familiar forests because of self-confidence

Residents of Crimea are often lost in familiar forest areas due to excessive confidence in their own experience and physical fatigue. This was told on the air of the TV channel “Crimea 24” by the senior search group of the search and rescue team “Search Crimea”, acting first aid instructor Victoria Grebenstein.

According to Victoria Grebenstein, many people, when going to the forest, forget to take into account seasonal changes in sunset and weather conditions. This is one of the causes of disorientation.

In addition, the loss of reference leads to physical fatigue and general health, weakened by a long stay in nature. Grebenstein noted that it is self-confidence and fatigue that most often prevent Crimeans from noticing in time that they have lost their way.

According to “Search Crimea”, residents and guests of the peninsula regularly need the help of rescuers. In the summer of 2026, the squad received 110 reports of missing people: 82 people were found alive, 9 died.

In October 2026, two mushroom pickers lost in the forest were rescued near Sudak, and in November four tourists who lost their way near the village of High near Bakhchysarai. Rescuers found them on the western slope of Mount Chuku after 2.5 hours of searching.

In total, in Crimea, on average, about 35 applications for missing people are filed monthly. Experts emphasize that the basis of safety in nature is quality preparation and the ability to stop in time, even if the excitement of “quiet hunting” pushes to go deeper into the forest.