EMERGENCY SIGNALING
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Emergency signaling is a way to communicate that you are in distress and need help. Here are some ways to signal for help :
Whistle : Blast a whistle three times, take a break, and repeat.
You can use a whistle to communicate messages using signals in Morse code.
Three of anything in a repeating sequence is understood to be an international sign of distress.
The Morse code S.O.S. It's three dots "...", three dashes, "---", and three dots again "..."
To signal for help in an emergency, you can use a whistle by blowing it in a series of three short blasts :
1) Blow three short blasts : Blow the whistle three times, each blast lasting about three seconds.
2) Take a breath : Inhale and exhale a couple of times between each blast to allow the sound to travel and to catch your breath.
3) Repeat : Repeat the three-blast pattern as long as possible.
You can also use a whistle to communicate messages in Morse code. The international distress signal for Morse code is six blasts every minute, with rescuers responding with three blasts every minute.
What is a Signal Mirror ?
A signal mirror is a reflective device that uses the sun or other light source to send a light signal to a second party.
Signal mirrors for survival are designed with a centered hole so that you can aim the mirror by sighting through the hole. This hole is called the ‘sighting aperture’ and allows you to be much more accurate with the mirror’s reflected light.
How to Use a Signal Mirror
There are two main ways to use a signal mirror. The method you use mainly depends on what type of mirror you have.
• “V” finger method with or without sighting aperture
• “Fireball” method with retroreflective sighting aperture
The second “fireball” method is only possible with a signal mirror that has a retroreflective grid for sighting. Both methods are good to know and can help you signal for help in a survival situation.
“V” Finger Sighting a Signal Mirror
You can use the ‘V’ finger sighting method both with or without a sighting aperture.
If you have a sighting aperture, the method is much easier since you can quickly sight your target through the hole in the mirror:
If you do not have a traditional signal mirror with a hole in the center for sighting (or if you have a cheaper model that fogs or obstructs your vision), you can still use your fingers to find the reflected sunlight.
Without a direct line of sight to the target, you will need to assume that you are missing your target.
To compensate for this, keep the mirror as close as possible to your sighting eye and sweep the mirror over the target between your fingers in each direction to make sure you are flashing the target with the mirror.
Fireball Sighting a Signal Mirror
A retroreflective grid creates a ‘fireball’ on the grid that shows you the direction of the signal mirror reflection as you look through the back. This makes it extremely easy to line up the reflection flash and the target.
Rotate the mirror slightly until you have the target and the fireball overlapping. In the sighting aperture, the fireball will not move much, so move the entire mirror so the target is closer to it.
The fireball is much bigger than the flash from the signal mirror, so make sure the center of the fireball is swept over the target.
You can still use the ‘V’ finger method along with this method if you want visual confirmation that the reflective flash is close to your target.
A mirror can be used to signal for help. Reflected sunlight can be seen for miles. There are mirrors that are made specifically for signaling that you can purchase at any outdoor or preparedness store, but any mirror or any reflective object will work.
At night, make three different fires arranged in a triangle that can be seen from the air. Three fires in a triangle is another signal of distress.
If the space is too small to set up in a triangle you can still do it in a straight row apart from one another. Remember the The Morse code S.O.S. It's three dots "...", three dashes, "---", and three dots again "..."
You can still set up the fire in a row of three dashes.
Again, remember that you want to be seen and be heard. Use brightly colored clothing, tarps, sleeping bags, or anything else that will stand out from the earth colors around you to attract attention.
Put bright colored items in trees and arranged around your area where they can be seen.
Use bright colored items to spell out "HELP" or "SOS" in twelve foot block letters on the ground. If you don't have bright colored items, use rocks, dirt, branches, or anything else that will stand out in contrast to the ground.
Create a signal flag with a bright red cloth attached to a long stick that you can wave at passing aircraft or vehicles. If you do not have a flag, stand in the open with both arms waving above your head.
Using a light sticks as signal
Chemical light sticks can be used to signal for help at night. Put a string through one end, then twirl it around, creating a large glowing circle that can be seen for miles. They are only good for one time use, but most last between eight and twelve hours.
They are a great backup if your flashlight stops working since they do not depend on electrical power or circuitry to function.
All you do is bend the stick until you feel the inner glass vial break, mixing the two chemicals. Shake the light stick to help the two chemicals combine, and the resulting solution glows inside of the stick.
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