Always plan and pack ahead of time for methods to signal for help when you are headed into the wilderness. Something can happen! always have fun however always be safe and prepared for anything!
Here are some things to think about, for signaling purposes, when packing your pack. These things may find yourself actually saving your life!
- A lighter or a ferro rod with a good supply of tinder. Finding dry tinder outdoors isn’t always simple. Think about putting the lighter and cotton balls in separate, sealed plastic bags so they will stay dry. A good supply of tinder that you can bring from home are cotton balls.
- Some bright colored material like a t-shirt, bandanna, or tarp. OR all three why not, right? Bright orange material may be a great example. Orange brings great distinction with your outdoor surroundings, which we will talk about in a minute.
- A tiny mirror. A makeup compact mirror or a car side mirror ar great signalers.
- Paracord. You’ll not find a use for it for signaling purposes but then again, you may. Paracord is just an item to always have with you.
- A whistle.
- And of course a great survival knife.
Ways To Signal For Help
- A signal fire. If you’re lost in the wilderness getting a fire started as soon as possible is so vital for so several reasons: to prevent hypothermia, to ward off predators and pesky insects, and in the instance that you are lost, to send a signal for help! To make a signal fire a possible success you need the smoke to be as black as possible. Black smoke is more visible and usually means, when spotted, that somebody needs rescue. To accomplish this, when you get the fire roaring, place the greenest vegetation you can find and place directly on the flames. I also want to note that rubber tires cause black smoke as well.
- If you are in a massive open area, an additional signal for help is to make Ground-To-Air Symbols. You can make them with different types of vegetation such as fallen tree limbs and/or piles of pine needles, etc. Just ensure whatever vegetation you use has a visual contrast to the ground so it can be easily seen from the air. Here is an example of various symbols and their meanings:
- The bright colored shirt, bandanna, and tarp you packed, put them to good use! Wear the shirt so you’re easily spotted by somebody. Use the bandanna as a makeshift flag. Hang the bandanna, now a flag, out in the open and up high so it too can be simply spotted. The tarp should be used as shelter at night but during the day let it’s as visible as possible especially if you’re in an open area. And, as i mentioned earlier, the colors of your material ought to be as bright as possible.
- Another great device could be a mirror. A compact mirror or a car side mirror are excellent for sign. Reflect it off the sun and others in the distance can see what appears to be a “flashlight”. Do three reflective flashes in a row which is the universal sign for facilitate otherwise known as S.O.S.
- A whistle. It’s tiny and will fit on your keychain or around your neck and it’s great for sign for rescue. This is the one I carry. It’s small however it’s LOUD. Whistle three times in a row to signal for S.O.S.
Like I said before, have fun, be adventurous! But always be smart, use your instincts, know your surroundings, never go alone, and stick near one another. Always carry a compass and pay attention to the direction of your travels. Being in the wilderness is a wonderful thing, some of the best memories you’ll ever make!
