The Survival Signalling Thread

Will said:
I keep a whistle on the shoulder strap of pack so it is immediatly accessable should I take a fall and need to instantly alert my partner for example. There are times when digging through pockets or pack isn't an option.
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This is a good idea But i also keep one in my pocket. You may put youp pack down at some point.

I Keep a mirror whistle, Compass, and fire starter on my person at all times (plus of course a good knife)

Fox 40 is my usual choice, I Trim the extra plastic off the bottom which makes it more compact

Fox 40 also now makes a smaller flatter pocket version, I dont know how it compares to the ist one but i am going to try it out.
 
canranger said:
Spmething to keep in mind try and learn and remember situation or activity specific signalling.

One time during a wind storm we were blown off the lake and our crew was seperated as sometime happens in the Canadian North storms move in fast and hard. It was our luck that a boat of resort fisherman were going by the overcast made the mirro useless the wind canceled out the whistle and there was no time to start a fire we had just landed and they were starting around the bay and passing us.
In canoeing if you take your canoe and turn it upside down and lean one paddle in the center, that is a distress signal the very first thing we did when going a shore was to position the canoe as such, because that is a constant signal that we do not have to maintain . Two of the fisherman were SAR voluteers and saw the canoe it being a larger object then either of us and saw more specifically the message it was sending.

It is not uncommon for specific activities to have their own style of signalling to ask for help.

A
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Hello Abe,

How are you?

I've canoed for 40 years and I've never heard of that. Is that supposed to be common knowledge?

Doc
 
I just stumbled onto this little gem last night.
campingsurvival_1926_20116973


For a knife based PSK, this could go right onto the fixed-knife's loop lanyard.
A simple bead installed on the lanyard loop would keep it from pulling off.
http://www.campingsurvival.com/suncococo.html

I'm liking this little compass the more I stare at it.
I wouldn't use it as my primary means of navigation, but, as a back-up it could be with you at all times.

(I can see an Orienteering thread coming soon).
 
Doc if you check course material from some of the provincial orgs an up side down canoe is recomended for attracting attention and I believe the paddle is to specify trouble keeping in mind that the canoe isn't placed perpendicular to the shore but parrellel to the water. In the water a canoe up side down across another in not only canoe over canoe but a signal as well.

As far as it being common knowledge I am glad at least the SAR workers knew it.

Abe
 
I talked with a PJ recently and they are in love with the new lazer signal devices.

Anyone used one? I guess they can be seen forever. Green better at night red during the day I am told.

SKam
 
SkunkWerX, thanks for that link... I love my large ALICE pack but it's way bigger than I need, most times... even my girlfriend's medium size one is pretty roomy, too big for a daypack. I finally found 3 small-size copies of it, in nylon or canvas, on that site :thumbup: Anyone used these? (sorry for hijacking)
 
Two questions:

(1) I'd not heard of the "inverted canoe" distress signal before. Can you describe in a little more detail exactly how the paddle is supposed to be positioned?

(2) I've been looking at full- and compact-sized sightable signal mirrors, both plastic and glass, and have wondered: just how much better is the glass than the lexan? I tend to be kind of skeptical about anything as breakable as glass for a survival kit.

(3) Incidentally, where's the least expensive place anyone knows to get a full-sized (instead of compact) glass grid-sightable survival mirror? I keep finding the little 2 x 3 inch ones, but am interested in the big ones, too.
 
Return of ther J.D.

It is nothingspecial except to place the canoe parrellel to the shore and lean a paddle up against the hull dead center leave this configuration stand alone. I would stres though that the point of bringing it up is that certain activities have there own special way of signalling for help or messages due to the terrain or gear used in the activity.
That was the major message for instance if you were to do any alpine climbing or be in a situation where arial signals were most effective there are specific symbols that pilots can I.D. at a glance that will deliver a hole message.
 
What do you guys think about using a laser pointer for emergency signaling? I carry a cheapo one, mainly to use on the upper racks in the warehouse at work. It'd work on an overcast day, and after dark; and would definately catch a pilot's eye.

{{I'm NOT saying to shire it directly at the cockpit of an aircraft, but as a touch and off, to get the pilots attention, then switch to a signal mirror/fire/?}}
 
skammer said:
grim,
they are too small a diameter to see. The rescue lazers have a cone shaped beam that widens the further it goes. That said, anything is better than nothing but I wouldnt count on a pointer to be seen.
http://www.greatlandlaser.com/productinfo.htm
http://www.equipped.org/rescuelaser.htm
Still carry a whistle and mirror.
SKam
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I live near downtown Kansas City; I doubt I'll need search-and-rescue planes anytime soon. I was just throwing the idea out for others, who go deeper into the woods than I have a chance to. That said, I think it's cool that someone's already thought of it and improved on the idea. If I was going to do any serious hiking, I'd have one of those you linked to above. Thanks for the links!

I still carry (actually 2) whistles and a great mirror. I had one of those plastic-y unbreakable mirrors... that cracked down the middle in my back pocket. I know a guy who does custom shower doors and mirrors... he cut me a piece off a scrap he had, beveled the edges with a belt sander and put duct tape on the back (in case it did crack). this was six months ago and it's still crystal clear, unscratched and (most important) unbroken. I knelt where my heels have hit my back pockets a bunch of times and it's still in one piece. (I do have it wrapped in a bandanna with a small notebook, but they shouldn't protect it too much.
 
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