This text looks at signalling techniques for Rescue. If you are in an emergency situation, remember the STOP and PLAN discussed in Survival Priorities.
Certain items of your kit are useful in providing you with a means of attracting attention. These items include :
o Whistle
o Heliograph
o Signal Marker Panel or Orange Survival Bag
o Potassium Permanganate
Whistle
Your whistle can be used for signalling by making a noise, the International Distress Signal is 6 whistle blasts followed by 1 minutes silence then repeated. This can also be done at night with a torch, use 6 torch flashes and rest for 1 minute.
The recognised reply for this is 3 whistle blasts followed by 1 minutes silence.
The important part is that if you hear the reply, blow up again, in the hills sound travels and just because you can be heard is not to say that you have been seen.
Heliograph
A heliograph is a small mirror or shiny flat surface which can be used to reflect the sun off of it. This can be seen for miles away and is very effective, particularly if you have heard or seen planes flying around.
Signal Marker Panel
Signal Marker panels or Bivvy bags can be used to create contrasting shapes on the ground. Most Bivvy bags are orange and therefore stand out against most European landscapes very well indeed. The basic rules are the bigger and brighter they are, the more chance you have of being seen. Therefore you need to make them at least 3 metres high and 1.5 metres wide.
There is a set of recognised shapes that have different meanings. The easy way to remember the most important ones is FILL.
F is for Food & Water
I is for Immediate CasEvac (Casualty Evacuation) Note: Pilots will put themselves in danger to help you if you make this symbol.
LL is for All is Well
If you don’t have any marker panels or bivvy bags, make contrasting shapes from objects nearby, e.g dark patterns on a light surface and light patterns on a dark surface.
Fire Signals
Most planes will not fly at night, but you can use your fire during the day to create smoke if seen, burning vegetation will produce white smoke, whereas oil based substances (e.g. Tyres) will produce black smoke.
Three fires in a triangle is also a recognised distress signal.
If you are seen by a plane or helicopter, do not expect them to land straight away. They will either drop a message or in the case of fixed wing aircraft dip their wings to acknowledge your signal.