Signaling For Help

When you are stranded in a remote location and need to signal for help, what do you do? There are two basic ways of signaling rescuers: visually and audibly. Here are some examples of each way and how you can maximize them to get the attention of rescuers in the fastest way possible.

Of course, different signaling techniques work differently depending on your location. If you are in a densely wooded area you will operate differently than on snowy terrain. The best audible way to communicate with rescuers is definitely by radio. However the difficulty with radios is getting good reception and battery life. Make sure you are familiar with your radio if you take one on a camping trip or hiking expedition. You never know when you will need it to send a distress signal. Many survival experts recommend, "Planned, prearranged signaling techniques [to] improve your chance of rescue."

Visual distress signals are some of the most well known. A signal fire is one of the most effective ways of attracting attention, especially in the dark. The international distress signal is a triangle, so build three fires in a triangle. If you can't maintain three separate fires, one larger signal fire is a good plan as well. The key to a signal fire is finding a clear area where a fire would really stand out. This will largely depend on your location. For example, I have gone hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and where I was there wasn't a lot of clear, flat terrain. For this location I would have to climb pretty much to the top of one of the mountains to attract attention, but a fire on top of one of the Blue Ridge Mountains would attract attention very quickly. If your location is snow-covered, you may have to clear an area so the snow doesn't put out your signal fire as it melts. If you are unable to build a fire, consider simply setting a tree on fire. "Always select an isolated tree so that you do not start a forest fire and endanger yourself."

Part of the reason signal fires are so effective at garnering attention is the smoke. With that in mind you could always try building a fire for the purpose of creating smoke signals. The Native Americans used to communicate very effectively in this way. The international distress signal is three columns of smoke. Green leaves, moss, and white create a white smoke, while oil or rubber makes black smoke. Smoke signals are really only effective on clear days however. During windy, stormy, or snowy weather smoke is not a good distress signal choice.