Survival Tips

Signalling
If you need to signal for help chose the largest open space possible so you can be seen.

The international distress signal on land is:

Six long flashes of a torch/blasts of a whistle/shouts/shots/waves in succession, repeated at one minute intervals; answered by three long flashes/blasts/shouts/shots/waving the arms (hold anything reflective or brightly coloured) repeated at one minute intervals.

The international distress signal at sea is:

Whistles and torches - Morse Code SOS - that is, three short blasts/ flashes - three long - three short - pause - repeat; red flares or orange smoke; outstretched arms, raised and lowered slowly and repeatedly.

By day you should use smoke (Photo, left is a Pains Wessex orange flare), and by night use light, to attract attention to yourself from the air. Remember you want to make a contrast against the background. If the day is dark and gloomy, you want light coloured smoke. If the day is bright, use dark smoke. At night, of course, light is best and a large, flaming fire can be seen from the air. The international signal for help is three fires spaced in a triangle shape. It means you cannot move on and you need help.

Spelling letter with stones or trampling down sand or snow to make a large "I" means you have a very serious injury in your group, while "X" means you are not able to proceed any longer. Make letters 20 feet long and 4 feet wide so they can be seen by the pilot of a search aircraft. If in snow, try to make the letter stand out with anything that provides a contrast (clothing, branches, ash from a fire, etc. On a slope or in scrubland clear away as large an area as you can to make your signal stand out. If you have the materials, spell out the words "SOS" or "HELP" in large letters. Stay near your sign and wave to catch the attention of a pilot. A Space Blanket is good for attracting attention - wave it around. If you are seen from the air and you have not marked out the ground; spread your arms and legs out to make a human letter "X" or hold them above your head to make a letter 'I'.

The StarFlash mirror is an excellent signalling device and it can be seen from 50-100 miles depending on your location and weather conditions. It takes practice to use it properly. Any shiny object can be use to flash the sun's rays as a signalling device. If you use an aimable device, remember not to dazzle the pilot once he has seen you. A fixed wing aircraft will usually "waggle" the wings to show you have been spotted.

Remember an overhead plane may only be in view for 1-3 minutes, so you need to have your signalling area and materials set up ready. When you spot the rescuers in the distance, start using your signal mirror, smoking fire, or flashlight (at night). Improvisation is the name of the game, think about what you have that may be of use - a camera flash gun, for example.

Use as many methods as you can to attract attention, do not rely on just one method. For example, if you have lit three fires and have signalling mirror, use them both.