Signaling for Help
Types of signaling
There are 5 main types of signaling
Electronic Devices
Noise
Mirrors and Lights
Color and Motion
Fire and Smoke
Rule of Threes
Three of anything is the universal signal for distress
Three fires in a triangle
Three loud whistle bursts
Three flashes of light
Electronic Signals
Cell Phone
Used all over the world
Relies on Cell Towers
Many dead spots in the wilderness
Batteries can run out
Satellite Communication
Bounces off satellites
Can be used anywhere in world
Requires special equipment and service
Noise
Whistles
Whistles have been heard up to 1.6 kilometers away
You can blow a whistle longer than you can whistle with your lips
Use in burst of three or SOS (• • • ꟷ ꟷ ꟷ • • •)
Ideally – Pealess Whistle
Pea and moisture in freezing weather will kill a pea whistle
Fox 40 Classic Whistle with Mouth Grip – NO Pea
Metal Clanging
Clanging metal can be heard a long ways away
Bang 3 times, pause, repeat
Visual Signals
There are many ways to attraction attention visually.
3 Fires in a triangle of line is much better than a single Fire
Throwing pine boughs and other vegetation on a fire will produce a cloud of white smoke
Oily material, plastics, rubber, fatwood and birch bark will produce a black smoke
Smoke
Signaling with the Sun
Mirrors and things that Shine
Car mirror
Cosmetic kit
CD/DVD
Cell phone
Shiny metal
Strobe
Rescue strobe can be seen 3 miles away
Chemlights
Swung in a circle increase signature
Bright Colors
Larger is better, movement is better
Natural Materials
Stomping out Snow creates shadows
Pine Boughs really help on Snow
On Tundra - dig up sod and flip it over