{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T19:06:38+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-04-26T18:10:00+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:14:37+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Sports & Recreation","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34001"},"slug":"sports-recreation","categoryId":34001},{"name":"Survival Skills","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34032"},"slug":"survival-skills","categoryId":34032}],"title":"Methods for Signaling Search-and-Rescue Teams","strippedTitle":"methods for signaling search-and-rescue teams","slug":"methods-for-signaling-search-and-rescue-teams","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"When you’re in the wild and need help, you send out a signal –- basically anything to get noticed. A good signal not only gets the attention of search-and-rescu","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"When you’re in the wild and need help, you send out a signal –- basically anything to get noticed. A good signal not only gets the attention of search-and-rescue teams but also of people <i>not</i> looking for you — passersby who can help before professionals arrive. The following methods show you how to get people’s attention with signals.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Ground-to-air emergency code</h2>\r\nThese symbols are recognized by Search and Rescue pilots as distress signals. Make sure you make these signals a 6:1 ratio so rescuers can see them from the air.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/301683.image0.jpg\" alt=\"image0.jpg\" width=\"432\" height=\"276\" />\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" >Aiming reflector</h2>\r\nYou must carefully aim your mirror’s reflection at the aircraft or vessel you wish to signal, or you may not be seen. You can use a mirror or other reflective items, such as a CD or DVD.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/301684.image1.jpg\" alt=\"image1.jpg\" width=\"312\" height=\"400\" />\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Group splash</h2>\r\nIf a ring of people all kick simultaneously, the water in the center turns white, briefly, which can be seen against the blue ocean.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/301685.image2.jpg\" alt=\"image2.jpg\" width=\"381\" height=\"364\" />","description":"When you’re in the wild and need help, you send out a signal –- basically anything to get noticed. A good signal not only gets the attention of search-and-rescue teams but also of people <i>not</i> looking for you — passersby who can help before professionals arrive. 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You can use a mirror or other reflective items, such as a CD or DVD.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/301684.image1.jpg\" alt=\"image1.jpg\" width=\"312\" height=\"400\" />\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" >Group splash</h2>\r\nIf a ring of people all kick simultaneously, the water in the center turns white, briefly, which can be seen against the blue ocean.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/301685.image2.jpg\" alt=\"image2.jpg\" width=\"381\" height=\"364\" />","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10053,"name":"Cameron M. Smith","slug":"cameron-m-smith","description":" <p><b>Dr. Cameron M. Smith</b> has searched for early human fossils in East Africa, studied traditional hunting methods in Arctic Alaska, and more. 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Methods for Signaling Search-and-Rescue Teams

By: Cameron M. Smith and John F. Haslett and

Updated: 04-26-2016

From The Book: Wilderness Survival For Dummies

Wilderness Survival For Dummies

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When you’re in the wild and need help, you send out a signal –- basically anything to get noticed. A good signal not only gets the attention of search-and-rescue teams but also of people not looking for you — passersby who can help before professionals arrive. The following methods show you how to get people’s attention with signals.

Ground-to-air emergency code

These symbols are recognized by Search and Rescue pilots as distress signals. Make sure you make these signals a 6:1 ratio so rescuers can see them from the air.

Aiming reflector

You must carefully aim your mirror’s reflection at the aircraft or vessel you wish to signal, or you may not be seen. You can use a mirror or other reflective items, such as a CD or DVD.

Group splash

If a ring of people all kick simultaneously, the water in the center turns white, briefly, which can be seen against the blue ocean.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Wilderness Survival For Dummies ,

About the book authors:

John Haslett is a veteran expedition leader and adventure writer whose articles have been featured in National Geographic Adventure. Cameron M. Smith is an archaeologist at Portland State University. He has traveled the world's wildernesses in some of the most unreasonable ways imaginable.

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