The important thing to know about search and rescue is that it is most effective if it's a two way operation. The more you can help the rescuers by signalling your location, the easier it is for them to do their job and find you.



When to signal? Conserve your energy and resources when signalling. You need to be certain that the people you are trying to contact are within sight or hearing distance before signalling. If you know that nobody is looking for you yet, you need to attempt a general signal to attract the attention of someone who might see it. A signal is a cry for help. It not only let's people know you are in trouble and need assistance, but helps indicate your location.

You need to assess your situation when determining what methods to use. Are you in a valley or on a mountain top? Is the ground covered with snow? Can you move? Is it cloudy or sunny, day or night? Different signalling techniques are effective in different conditions. The signalling devices and techniques discussed below should help you to make this decision. When signalling with any device, repeating three times is typically recognized as a distress signal.

Fire: The light from a fire is especially effective at night, whether down in a valley or on top of a mountain. During the day, the smoke from a fire can be seen from a long distance. If you have assistance try and build three fires in a triangle, but if alone do not try and maintain more than one fire, you may not be able to gather enough fuel and it may not be safe. Think of who is trying to find you and build the fire where it would be most visible. You want a fire that burns bright with lots of flames. Starting a forest fire is a not a suitable way of attracting attention and could cause you more harm. Clear the area around your fire to keep it contained.

During daylight hours, smoke is going to be more effective as a signal than light. By smothering a fire with green vegetation or even some water, the fire will smoke profusely. Try and produce a color of smoke that contrasts the background. White smoke in a snow covered terrain may be tough to see, but by adding some oil, or rubber it will blacken the smoke.

Mirrors: If the sun is shining and you need to signal an aircraft, or any other distant observer you can see, the signalling mirror is extremely effective. While any polished surface can reflect light, proper survival signal mirrors are the most effective and easiest to use. Practice signalling against a dark background a hundred yards away. Use a row of evergreen trees or rock face to test your signalling skills. For aiming an improvised mirror, hold the tip of a small stick upright at arms length on the object you are trying to signal. Then with the mirror next to your eye. Move the mirror so the flash lights up the tip of the stick and the distant object.

Flashlight: At night a flash light, flashed with three slow flashes can be a very effective signal. This can be used to signal aircraft or other distant objects. Batteries don't last forever so you may have to decide whether you need to conserve the light for a signal in the future or for personal lighting at night.

Flares: There are many types available and should you be lucky enough to have one with you, are useful for aerial signalling or as a beacon from a high location. Smoke flares are great for signalling aircraft. Reserve the use of these for when you know that someone is looking for you and that you flare will be visible to them. Flares are not very visible during daylight and best at night.

Ground Signals: Placing objects on open ground are primarily used for signalling aircraft. Here the key is to create as much contrast as possible with the background and surrounding environment. Bright colors are very useful to aerial searchers. The use of hunter-orange fabric is one of the best signalling colors as it is visible even in low light and contrasts most natural backgrounds.

Sound: Basically, any device that can make a loud noise will work. Repeat the sound three times in quick succession. A gun, whistle, air horn or anything else will do fine. A whistle is one of the simplest, cheapest and most common safety devices. You should always have one with you when heading outdoors. A whistle can be heard for several hundred yards in favorable conditions.

The above ideas are an overview of what is required with signalling. Always think about who might be looking or listening and try and target them with your signalling. Being prepared by carrying some of these signalling devices can dramatically reduce the time it takes a search party to locate you.

Be safe and enjoy the outdoors.