There are two main ways to get attention or to communicate visual and audio. To be well ahead of yourself and safe would mean that you should always have at least one if not two methods avalible. There correct and proper use will depend on your knowledge of the equipment and any situation that you may come across. Whatever the happens you should always have visual and / or audio signal methods ready for use |
Visual Signals The materials or equipment you use to make your presence visable / known to rescuers This training is useful to Sea, Air & Scouts |
| Fire During darkness, fire is the most effective visual means for signalling. Build three fires in a triangle (the international distress signal) or in a straight line with about 25 meters between the fires. Build them as soon as you can as the situation permits, protect them until you need them. If you are alone, maintaining three fires may be difficult so it would be sencible to maintain just one fire When constructing signal fires, consider geographic location. In a jungle, find a natural clearing near the edge of a stream where the jungle foliage will not hide your fire. Always clear an area of snow clear the ground and build the fire on a platform other wise melting snow will extinguish your fire |
| Smoke During daylight, build a good fire useing smoke. The international distress signal is three columns of smoke. Try to create smoke that contrasts with the background; dark smoke against a light background and vice versa. once your fire is burning high, to produce white smoke almost smother fire with green leaves, moss, or a sprinkle a little water.If you require black smoke, add rubber, oil soaked rags Be aware, that in a desert environment, smoke hangs close to the ground, this should not worry you as a pilot can spot you smoke and fire in open desert terrain Remember smoke signals are effective only on comparatively calm, clear days. High winds, rain, or snow disperses smoke, lessening its chances of being seen |
| Star Parachute Flares If you have any contact with the military - you could ask them if they would come along to one of your meetings and demonstrate these flares. Safety is paramount. These flares reach a height of 200 to 215 meters and descend at a rate of 2.1 meters per second. The M126 (This is the international emergency colour (red) burns about 50 seconds and the M127 (white) about 25 seconds. At night you can see these flares at 48 to 56 kilometres |
| Mirrors or Shiny Objects On a sunny day, a mirror is your best signalling device. If you don't have a mirror, polish a similar object that will reflect the sun's rays. Practice using a mirror or shiny object for signalling now, do not wait until you need it Wear the signal mirror on a cord or chain attached to your belt or rucksack do not hang it around your neck. However, be sure that it is well hidden on your person soa s not to alert the enemy Patrols with the flash |
Flashlight or Strobe Light At night you can use a flashlight or a strobe light to send an SOS. When using a strobe light, take care a strobe light flashes 60 times per minute. Some strobe lights have infrared covers and lenses. Blue flash collimators are also available |
| VS-17 Panel During daylight you can use a VS-17 panel to signal. Place the orange side up as it is easier to see from the air than the violet side. Flashing the panel will make it easier for an aircrew to spot. You can use any bright orange or violet cloth as a substitute for the VS-17 |
| Clothing Spreading clothing on the ground or in the top of a tree is another way to signal. Select articles whose colour will contrast with the natural surroundings. Arrange them in a large geometric pattern to make them more likely to attract attention |
| Natural Material If you lack other means, you can use natural materials to form a symbol or message that can be seen from the air. Build mounds that cast shadows; you can use brush, foliage of any type, rocks, or snow blocks. In snow areas, tramp the snow forming letters or symbols and fill the depression with other materials (twigs or branches). In sand, use boulders, vegetation, or seaweed to form a symbol or message. In brush-covered areas, cut out patterns in the vegetation or sear the ground. In tundra, dig trenches or turn the sod upside down. In any terrain, use contrasting materials that will make the symbols visible to the aircrews |
| Dye Markers All Rescue aircraft involved in operations near or over water will normally carry a water survival kit that contains sea dye markers. If you are in a water survival situation, use sea dye markers during daylight to indicate your location. These spots of dye stay conspicuous for about 3 hours, except in very rough seas. Use them only if you are in a friendly area. Keep the markers wrapped until you are ready to use them. Use them only when you hear or sight an aircraft. Sea dye markers are also very effective on snow-covered ground; use them to write distress code letters |
