Req 5 — Signaling for Help
When you are lost, stranded, or injured, being found is everything. Signaling is the art of making yourself visible, audible, or detectable to the people searching for you. The right signal at the right time can save your life.
5a. Signaling Rescue Aircraft or Drones
From the air, you are very small. A person standing in a forest or on a mountainside is almost invisible to a pilot flying overhead. Your signals need to be big, bright, and different from the natural surroundings.
Three methods for signaling aircraft:
1. Signal Fire (or Smoke)
Build a fire in an open area. During the day, add green branches or damp leaves to create thick white smoke — this contrasts against the ground and is visible for miles. At night, a bright fire is the most visible signal from the air.
2. Ground-to-Air Signals
Use rocks, logs, clothing, or any contrasting material to create large symbols on the ground. The international ground-to-air signals are recognized by pilots worldwide:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| V | Need assistance |
| X | Need medical help |
| I | Need supplies |
| → (arrow) | Traveling this direction |
| LL | All is well |
Make symbols at least 10 feet long using materials that contrast with the ground — dark rocks on light sand, bright fabric on dark earth.
3. Signal Mirror
A signal mirror can be seen from over 50 miles away on a clear day. Even a reflective surface like a phone screen, a piece of foil, or a belt buckle can work. Aim the reflected sunlight at the aircraft by sighting along your outstretched fingers.
5b. Signaling Ground Searchers
When searchers are looking for you on the ground, they are using their eyes and ears. Sound carries farther than you think in the wilderness, and anything out of place visually will catch a trained searcher’s eye.
Methods for attracting ground searchers:
Whistle: A whistle is louder than your voice, carries farther, and takes almost no energy to use. Three short blasts is the universal distress signal. Keep blowing every few minutes — searchers may be just out of range.
Bright clothing or markers: Hang brightly colored clothing, a space blanket, or flagging tape on trees at eye level near your position. These catch the light and stand out against natural colors.
Noise makers: Bang rocks together, clap sticks, or yell at regular intervals. Any rhythmic, repeating sound that is not natural will attract attention.
Trail markers: If you are moving, leave markers along your path — stacked rocks (cairns), broken branches, arrows scratched in the dirt, or strips of cloth tied to branches. Make it easy for searchers to follow your route.
Stay put: If you are truly lost, the best thing you can do is stop moving. Searchers work from your last known position. Every step you take makes their search area larger.
5c. Signaling on the Water
Being stranded on the water presents unique challenges. You may be low in the water, making you hard to see. Waves, glare, and distance all work against you. Water rescue signals must be highly visible and repetitive.
Methods for attracting water searchers:
Distress flag: An orange distress flag is the standard visual signal on the water. If you do not have one, wave any brightly colored cloth or clothing.
Signal mirror: Extremely effective on the water because the flat, reflective surface of the water already catches light. Aim the mirror at any vessel or aircraft you see.
Whistle or horn: Sound carries well over water. Three blasts means distress. Keep signaling at regular intervals.
Flares: If your boat carries flares (required on many vessels), fire them high and in the direction of any vessels you see. Use them sparingly — you may have limited supply.
Dye marker: Sea dye creates a large, brightly colored patch on the water surface that is visible from aircraft. It can last for hours in calm water.
EPIRB / PLB: An Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) transmits your GPS coordinates to rescue satellites. If your boat has one, activate it immediately when you are in distress. These devices alert Coast Guard and rescue teams worldwide.