Maxflyer, an interesting statement:
Also if I really thought I was lost, I would make a Pan call. I agree that someone attempting to use 121.5 because they actually can't navigate efficiently should either retrain or question their motives very carefully.
I would be careful with your last assumption. It is that sort of statement that makes people self conscious of confessing that they are lost. I've been lost, not plesant and I ended up calling a local radar service for VDF and subsequent QDM home.
As with all these unplanned learning experiences, it was not one event that contributed to me getting lost there were lots of little circumstances: distracted with instructing, instructing GH in a rather featureless area (which I was new to - 2nd day), ADF failure, turning back towards the airfield to discover vis was about 4 km in haze into sun. Of course my inattention to nav was significantly contributing. Suffice to say I learnt a lot more about flying on that trip than many countless others.
In flying you will fit into one of two categories: Those that have, and those that will! Don't assume you are invincible.
GQ