Welcome to the Signalling Thread
Originally Posted by skammer
It astounds me that many still do not have signalling gear in their top 3 items or at all. Whistle, mirror etc..
Getting rescued is entirely the point, never forget that.
Skam
SkunkWerx:
The Spaceblanket is one of the biggest (literally) signalling devices you can have with you. Fire/smoke also being high on the list. I don't hold a lot of confidence in signaling mirrors. First it must be daytime. second, it must be sunny.
FIRE as a SIGNALLING Device
As I have said before, If I am in real rough shape, I'll light an 80 foot tree on fire. Fire can work as a signal on a 24x7 basis. It works while you do other things, thats a plus.
SMOKE
-Wet evergreens make a lot of smoke.
-Even a good dousing of water works well to thicken the smoke.
Step one, have a 2nd fire going, or take some buring pieces aside. When you spot a plane, douse that fire so as to make a big plume of smoke.
if you are really planning and preapred, you'll have fresh cut evergreen or a small pile of leaves nearby, ready for signalling.
FLAME
Three fires in a Triangle is the signal for SOS. I would make Triangles as my shape of choice. Morning , Noon and Evening are most likely times for flyovers by small planes. At sun-up, stoke that fire! Same in the late afternoon. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of leaves/evergreens to intensify the smoke.
VISUAL SIGNALLING
A spaceblanket can reflect sunlight, but, can also be a simple visual attention getter.
During the day have your Spaceblanket tied or staked out, facing South to pick up sunlight through the day. You could stake it out on a South facing slope, or, tie it off to some trees at a woodline, or, make a quick "clothesline" to hang it from.
Make sure you crinkle it up real good to create all of those refractory angles. If there is a breeze, tie it in such a way that the breeeze can move it slightly.
Cut off a 6 inch by 6 inch peice and have it in pocket for hand signalling, should a plane come over while you are gathering wood or looking for food.
Use ashes from your fire, or piles of fire wood, to make geometric shapes.
Triangles and squares are mathematical, and shapes not typically found in nature. They can catch the eye from above. I would use triangles since they emulate the 3 fires in a triangle.
Pile some firewood in the open, spell out SOS. Light the piles.
Once they burn, they leave the letters in burnt ash.
Dark Colors contrasting with light colors works well. example: In a tan meadow, make a visual signal using evergreens. I like Triangles.
You can tie a brightly colored peice of clothing onto an 8 foot long stick and wave it. You can even make a streamer out of a space blanket for the same purpose. Some people take orange/red surveyors tape in their pack.
Add ideas and comments below.
Originally Posted by skammer
It astounds me that many still do not have signalling gear in their top 3 items or at all. Whistle, mirror etc..
Getting rescued is entirely the point, never forget that.
Skam
SkunkWerx:
The Spaceblanket is one of the biggest (literally) signalling devices you can have with you. Fire/smoke also being high on the list. I don't hold a lot of confidence in signaling mirrors. First it must be daytime. second, it must be sunny.
FIRE as a SIGNALLING Device
As I have said before, If I am in real rough shape, I'll light an 80 foot tree on fire. Fire can work as a signal on a 24x7 basis. It works while you do other things, thats a plus.
SMOKE
-Wet evergreens make a lot of smoke.
-Even a good dousing of water works well to thicken the smoke.
Step one, have a 2nd fire going, or take some buring pieces aside. When you spot a plane, douse that fire so as to make a big plume of smoke.
if you are really planning and preapred, you'll have fresh cut evergreen or a small pile of leaves nearby, ready for signalling.
FLAME
Three fires in a Triangle is the signal for SOS. I would make Triangles as my shape of choice. Morning , Noon and Evening are most likely times for flyovers by small planes. At sun-up, stoke that fire! Same in the late afternoon. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of leaves/evergreens to intensify the smoke.
VISUAL SIGNALLING
A spaceblanket can reflect sunlight, but, can also be a simple visual attention getter.
During the day have your Spaceblanket tied or staked out, facing South to pick up sunlight through the day. You could stake it out on a South facing slope, or, tie it off to some trees at a woodline, or, make a quick "clothesline" to hang it from.
Make sure you crinkle it up real good to create all of those refractory angles. If there is a breeze, tie it in such a way that the breeeze can move it slightly.
Cut off a 6 inch by 6 inch peice and have it in pocket for hand signalling, should a plane come over while you are gathering wood or looking for food.
Use ashes from your fire, or piles of fire wood, to make geometric shapes.
Triangles and squares are mathematical, and shapes not typically found in nature. They can catch the eye from above. I would use triangles since they emulate the 3 fires in a triangle.
Pile some firewood in the open, spell out SOS. Light the piles.
Once they burn, they leave the letters in burnt ash.
Dark Colors contrasting with light colors works well. example: In a tan meadow, make a visual signal using evergreens. I like Triangles.
You can tie a brightly colored peice of clothing onto an 8 foot long stick and wave it. You can even make a streamer out of a space blanket for the same purpose. Some people take orange/red surveyors tape in their pack.
Add ideas and comments below.
I just bought one of those Coughlan's whistles with a little compass, thermometer, and magnifying glass built-in. It was $5 or so. Haven't tested the lens yet, but the whistle, compass and thermometer definitely work. Also, the little keychain thingy is a clip-type, like a 'biner kinda... easy to use if your hands are cold, etc. (I'm a sucker for little details like that.)
