Being Seen, Being Heard, Being Found
Survival is often framed as a solo struggle — you against the wild. In reality, your best chance of long-term survival depends on other people: being rescued, joining a group, coordinating with a settlement, warning of danger, or calling for help when injured. All of that requires communication.
This guide covers the full spectrum, from the most primitive (“make a big fire and hope someone sees it”) to the most advanced (“build a radio from salvaged parts”). Start with what you can do right now with nothing, and work toward more sophisticated methods as your situation stabilises.
The communication hierarchy: Visual signals reach anyone who can see them. Sound signals reach anyone within earshot. Written messages persist after you leave. Radio reaches anyone with a receiver, anywhere. Each level extends your reach — from metres to hundreds of metres to kilometres to the entire planet.
📡 Communication Range at a Glance
Voice / WhistleRange: 100m – 1.5km. Shouting carries ~200m in open ground, less in forest or wind. A whistle carries 1–1.5km in still air and takes almost no energy. Three short blasts is the universal distress signal. Always carry or improvise a whistle — it’s the simplest signalling device that exists.
Fire / SmokeRange: 5–50+ km. A signal fire on high ground is visible for enormous distances, especially at night. Smoke columns are visible in daylight from 30–50km in clear conditions. Three fires in a triangle is the international distress signal. Fire is your most powerful non-electronic signalling tool.
Mirror / FlashRange: 15–80+ km. A signal mirror reflecting sunlight can be seen from extraordinary distances — up to 80km or more in clear weather. Aircraft have spotted mirror signals from over 150km. Effective against aircraft, distant hilltops, and ships. Requires sunlight and line-of-sight.
Radio (VHF/UHF)Range: 5–80km. Handheld radios (walkie-talkies, FRS/GMRS, marine VHF, amateur 2m/70cm) are line-of-sight. Range depends on power, antenna, terrain, and elevation. From high ground with a decent antenna, 50–80km is achievable. From a valley floor, 2–5km.
Radio (HF / Shortwave)Range: 100 – 10,000+ km. HF radio signals bounce off the ionosphere, enabling communication across continents. This is how ships, aircraft, and military have communicated globally since the 1920s. Requires more knowledge, a larger antenna, and more power than VHF, but salvageable AM/shortwave receivers are common.
Signal Fires & Smoke
METHOD ▼Fire has been the primary long-distance signalling method for all of human history. It works at night (flame) and during the day (smoke). It requires no technology, just fuel and the skills covered in the fire-starting guide. The key difference between a campfire and a signal fire is intention — signal fires are designed to be seen from as far away as possible.
🔥 Signal Fire Principles
Location: Get HighBuild signal fires on the highest accessible point: hilltops, ridgelines, cliff edges, rooftops, or open beaches. The higher the fire, the farther it’s visible. A fire on a valley floor may be invisible from a few hundred metres away. A fire on a hilltop can be seen from 30+ km. If you can’t get high, choose the most open ground available — clearings, riverbanks, or shorelines.
Three Fires = DistressThe international distress signal is three fires arranged in a triangle, spaced roughly 30 metres apart. Three of anything (three whistle blasts, three gunshots, three fires) means “I need help.” Even if you can only manage one fire, a single fire on high ground at night is unusual enough to attract investigation. Three fires removes any doubt.
Night = Flame, Day = SmokeAt night, bright flame is visible — build the fire large and hot with dry wood. In daylight, flame is invisible beyond a few hundred metres, so you need smoke. Once a fire is burning hot, add green vegetation (leafy branches, fresh grass), damp moss, rubber, oil, or plastic to produce thick white or black smoke. A column of smoke against a clear sky is visible for tens of kilometres.
Keep It ReadyYou may not hear an aircraft or see a distant group until they’re already passing by. Keep signal fires prepared but unlit, with dry tinder and kindling ready to ignite in under a minute. Cover the prepared fire lay with bark or a tarp to keep it dry. Keep a burning ember or reliable fire-starter nearby. When you hear or see something, light it immediately — you may only have 2–5 minutes before an aircraft passes out of sight.
💨 Smoke Colour Control
White SmokeBest against dark backgrounds (forest, dark sky, overcast). Produced by adding green leaves, fresh grass, moss, or damp wood to a hot fire. White smoke stands out against trees and hills.
Black SmokeBest against light backgrounds (snow, sand, clear sky). Produced by burning rubber (tyres, hoses), oil, plastic, petroleum products, or tar. Black smoke stands out dramatically against pale terrain and bright skies. It also signals “something is wrong” more urgently than white smoke.
Mirror Signalling & Light
METHOD ▼A signal mirror is arguably the most underrated survival tool. A small piece of reflective material can send a flash of light visible from 80+ kilometres. Aircraft pilots are trained to recognise mirror signals. Even without a dedicated signal mirror, any reflective surface works: a car mirror, a piece of glass, a polished tin lid, aluminium foil, a CD/DVD, or the screen of a dead phone.
🪞 Mirror Signalling Technique
1
Hold the mirror near your face, reflective side toward the sun.
You need a bright reflected spot (the “flash”) to aim. Tilt the mirror until you can see the reflected sunlight on your other hand or on the ground nearby.
You need a bright reflected spot (the “flash”) to aim. Tilt the mirror until you can see the reflected sunlight on your other hand or on the ground nearby.
2
Aim the flash at your target.
Extend your free hand at arm’s length, making a V with two fingers. Place your target (aircraft, distant person, ship) in the V. Tilt the mirror so the reflected flash hits your extended fingers. The flash is now directed at the target. Even a small aiming error over 50km means missing by hundreds of metres, so the V-sight helps enormously.
Extend your free hand at arm’s length, making a V with two fingers. Place your target (aircraft, distant person, ship) in the V. Tilt the mirror so the reflected flash hits your extended fingers. The flash is now directed at the target. Even a small aiming error over 50km means missing by hundreds of metres, so the V-sight helps enormously.
3
Sweep the flash across the target.
Don’t hold a steady beam — sweep the reflected light back and forth across the target in slow, deliberate arcs. The flashing (appearing and disappearing) is what catches the eye. Three short flashes, pause, three short flashes communicates distress. Even random flashing will attract attention — sunlight flashes are unmistakably artificial.
Don’t hold a steady beam — sweep the reflected light back and forth across the target in slow, deliberate arcs. The flashing (appearing and disappearing) is what catches the eye. Three short flashes, pause, three short flashes communicates distress. Even random flashing will attract attention — sunlight flashes are unmistakably artificial.
4
If you can’t see the target directly:
Reflect the flash onto a nearby surface and sweep it across the horizon in the direction you think the target is. Aircraft flying over your area may see the flash even if you can’t see them. On a clear day, flash in all directions periodically — you never know who might be watching.
Reflect the flash onto a nearby surface and sweep it across the horizon in the direction you think the target is. Aircraft flying over your area may see the flash even if you can’t see them. On a clear day, flash in all directions periodically — you never know who might be watching.
🔦 Other Light Signals
Torch / FlashlightAt night, a torch beam pointed at an aircraft or distant position is visible for several kilometres. Flash SOS: three short flashes, three long flashes, three short (••• ——— •••). Even without knowing Morse code, any repeating pattern of flashing is recognisably artificial. Conserve batteries — signal only when you have a specific target.
Fire at NightA large fire is visible from kilometres away at night. Swing a burning branch in a circle to create a moving light source that’s more attention-grabbing than a stationary fire. From aircraft, three fires in a triangle are unmistakable. A single fire could be a campfire — three fires say “rescue me.”
Flares (If Available)Military, marine, or roadside flares are extremely visible but single-use. Do NOT waste a flare unless you have a confirmed target (visible aircraft or vessel). Hold rocket flares above your head, aim downwind. Handheld flares: hold at arm’s length, keep sparks and hot drips away from skin and clothing. Flares are hot enough to cause serious burns and can ignite dry vegetation.
Sound Signals
METHOD ▼Sound signals are limited in range compared to visual signals, but they work in fog, dense forest, at night, and when the target can’t see you. They require almost no materials and almost no preparation.
📢 Sound Signal Methods
WhistleThe best survival sound signal. Carries 1–1.5km in still air, far further than a shout. Uses almost no energy (unlike shouting, which exhausts you quickly and damages your voice). Three blasts = distress. Repeat every 30–60 seconds. Improvised whistles: hollow bone or bamboo, acorn caps, a blade of grass held taut between thumbs. Any high-pitched sharp sound works.
Banging / ImpactHitting metal on metal (rock on a tin can, stick on a metal sheet) creates a carrying, distinctive sound. Three even strikes, pause, repeat. The sharp metallic clang doesn’t exist in nature, so it’s immediately recognised as human-made. Useful in forest where voice doesn’t carry far.
ShoutingLeast efficient — exhausts you fast, damages vocal cords, and doesn’t carry far. If you must shout, use a sharp, single-syllable word: “HELP” or “HEY” carries better than “help me please.” Cup your hands around your mouth and aim your voice. Shout only when you hear or see a potential rescuer — don’t waste energy shouting into empty wilderness.
Gunshots (If Available)Three evenly-spaced shots = distress. Carries several kilometres depending on calibre and terrain. Ammunition is a finite, irreplaceable survival resource — only use as a signal if you have confirmed a target (you hear other shots, you see people in the distance) and you can afford to spend the rounds. One shot could be a hunter. Three evenly-spaced shots are universally recognised.
Ground-to-Air Signals & Ground Markers
METHOD ▼Aircraft cover vast areas quickly. If search parties, military patrols, or any aircraft are operating in your area, ground signals are your best chance of being spotted. These must be large, high-contrast, and ideally use shapes that are immediately recognisable as artificial — straight lines, geometric shapes, and standard symbols don’t occur in nature.
✈️ Ground Signal Standards (ICAO)
Size & ContrastEach symbol should be at least 3 metres tall, 10 metres long if possible. Bigger is always better — from a fast-moving aircraft, small signals are invisible. Maximise contrast: dark materials (charcoal, dark earth, dark rocks, burned wood) on light ground (sand, snow, dry grass). Light materials (stripped bark, white cloth, ash) on dark ground (dark soil, forest floor). Shadows help — build symbols with raised edges (logs, mounded earth) so they cast shadows that increase visibility.
I — Require Medical HelpA single straight vertical line. The most critical symbol if someone in your group is injured or ill and cannot travel.
X — Cannot ProceedAn X means you are unable to travel. You need assistance to be extracted or resupplied where you are.
V — Require AssistanceA V means you need help — food, water, supplies, or rescue. The most general distress symbol.
→ Arrow — Travelling This DirectionAn arrow indicates you are moving and shows the direction of travel. Useful for guiding search parties to follow you. Leave arrows at campsites pointing toward your next planned position.
□ Square — Require EquipmentA square or rectangle signals that you need supplies or equipment to continue.
🔧 Building Ground Signals
MaterialsLogs, branches, rocks, clothing, tarps, survival blankets (space blankets are highly reflective), strips of bark, piled earth, or trenches dug into contrasting soil. On snow: stomp symbols into the surface and fill with dark material (charcoal, evergreen branches, dark earth). On sand: dig trenches 30cm+ deep — the shadow creates the contrast.
PlacementPlace signals on the most open, visible ground: hilltops, clearings, beaches, open fields. Avoid signals under tree canopy — aircraft can’t see through leaves. If you’re in forest, create the signal at the nearest clearing or on a riverbank. Orient signals to be visible from all directions overhead (symmetrical shapes work best).
Maintain ThemWind, rain, snow, and animals will degrade ground signals. Check and repair them daily. Straighten scattered branches, re-dig filled trenches, replace blown materials. A degraded signal looks like natural debris. A crisp, maintained signal screams “human.”
✈️ Responding to Aircraft
“Yes” / Need HelpBoth arms raised above your head in a Y shape. This is the internationally recognised body signal for “Yes, I need help” or “affirmative.” Face the aircraft so your silhouette is clear.
“No” / All OKOne arm raised, one arm extended down at your side. This forms a diagonal and signals “No, I don’t need help” or “I’m OK.” Use this if an aircraft is circling and you do not need rescue (e.g. if they’re investigating your campfire).
Attracting AttentionFlash your mirror continuously at the aircraft. Wave bright-coloured material (clothing, tarp, emergency blanket). Move — motion catches the eye far more than static figures. Light your pre-prepared signal fires. Fire a flare if you have one. Do everything simultaneously — you may only get one pass.
Written Messages & Trail Communication
METHOD ▼Spoken and visual signals only work when someone is present to receive them. Written messages work when you’re not there. In a survival or post-disaster scenario, leaving messages is how you coordinate with scattered groups, guide search parties, and share critical information about routes, hazards, water, and shelter.
📜 Message Standards
What to IncludeEvery message should contain: Date and time. Your name or group identifier. Direction of travel. Destination or plan. Number of people. Any injuries. Water/food status. Example: “20 Apr — 3 people heading downstream (south) to find road. No injuries. Low water. — Group A.” Clear, factual, no ambiguity.
Where to Leave MessagesAt campsites, trail junctions, water sources, bridges, road crossings, buildings, and any decision point. Place messages in weatherproof locations (under a rock overhang, inside a container, wrapped in plastic). Mark the location conspicuously — a cairn, a flag, a large arrow pointing to the message.
Writing MaterialsPen/pencil on paper is ideal. Charcoal on flat bark, wood, stone, or cloth works. Scratching into soft wood with a knife. Chalking on walls or pavement. Blood (in extreme emergency — it dries brown and is readable on light surfaces). Even arranging sticks to form letters on the ground is a message. Anything readable is better than nothing.
Security ConsiderationIn hostile situations, messages reveal your presence, group size, direction, and condition to anyone who finds them — including people you don’t want to find you. Use coded language, leave messages only where your group knows to look, or use a simple cipher your group has agreed on. In a cooperative environment, leave messages openly to maximise the chance of being found.
Radio Communication — Finding & Using Radios
FIND METHOD ▼Radio is the only communication method that reaches beyond line-of-sight without infrastructure. Cell towers are down. The internet is gone. But radio waves travel through the atmosphere without needing anything in between. If you can find a radio, charge it, and operate it, you can communicate with anyone within range who’s listening.
📻 Where to Find Radios
VehiclesMany commercial vehicles, trucks, taxis, and emergency vehicles have two-way radios. Marine vessels have VHF marine radios (often with emergency channel 16 pre-programmed). Aircraft have VHF airband radios. Check any abandoned vehicle — the radio may still be powered by the vehicle battery even if the engine doesn’t start.
BuildingsSecurity offices, construction sites, hotels, hospitals, schools, and any large facility often have handheld two-way radios (walkie-talkies). Fire stations and police stations have more powerful base station radios. Ham radio operators (amateur radio enthusiasts) have home stations — look for houses with large antennas on the roof.
Boats & MarineAlmost every boat has a VHF marine radio. Marinas, harbourmasters, and yacht clubs will have base stations. Marine VHF channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the international distress and calling frequency — it’s the first place anyone with a marine radio listens. If you find a marine VHF radio, try channel 16 first.
Consumer ElectronicsFRS (Family Radio Service) and PMR446 walkie-talkies are common in camping gear, shops, and households. Short range (1–3km typical) but require no licence and are simple to operate: turn on, pick a channel, press the button to talk, release to listen. Children’s toy walkie-talkies are surprisingly functional at short range.
📡 Radio Operating Basics
Listen FirstBefore transmitting, listen. Scan through frequencies and channels. You may hear other survivors, organised groups, or emergency broadcasts. Listening costs no battery and reveals who’s out there before you expose your position. Note what frequencies have activity.
PTT (Push-To-Talk)Most two-way radios work the same way: press the button to transmit, release to receive. You cannot listen while transmitting. Hold the radio near your mouth (not touching it), press the button, wait half a second, speak clearly, then release and listen for a reply. Keep transmissions short.
Speaking ProtocolSpeak slowly and clearly. Use a standard format: “[Who you’re calling], this is [your identifier], over.” Example: “Any station, any station, this is Riverside Camp, requesting assistance, over.” Say “over” when you’re done and waiting for a reply. Say “out” when the conversation is finished. Never say “over and out” (it’s contradictory).
Distress Calls“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is [your name/location]. I am at [location/description]. [Number] persons. [Nature of emergency]. Requesting immediate assistance. Over.” Repeat on multiple frequencies. MAYDAY is the international voice distress signal — it takes priority over all other radio traffic. “PAN-PAN” is for urgent situations that aren’t immediately life-threatening.
Battery ConservationReceiving uses far less battery than transmitting. Keep the radio on receive as much as possible. Transmit only when you have something to say or at scheduled times. Reduce transmit power if the radio allows it — the lowest power that reaches your target saves battery. Turn off the radio entirely between scheduled contact times if battery is critical.
📻 Key Frequencies to Know
Marine VHF Ch 16 (156.800 MHz)International maritime distress and calling frequency. Monitored by all ships, coast guards, and marine stations worldwide. If you’re near the coast or any navigable water, this is the first frequency to try.
Air Guard (121.500 MHz)International aeronautical emergency frequency. All aircraft and air traffic control monitor this frequency. If you have an airband radio, a MAYDAY on 121.5 MHz will be heard by every aircraft in radio range. Some ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters) broadcast on this frequency automatically.
FRS/PMR446 Ch 1The default channel on consumer walkie-talkies. FRS Ch 1: 462.5625 MHz. PMR446 Ch 1: 446.00625 MHz. Anyone with an off-the-shelf walkie-talkie who hasn’t changed the channel will be on channel 1. Good for short-range contact with other survivors.
Amateur 2m Calling (145.500 MHz)The FM calling frequency for amateur (ham) radio operators in many regions. Ham radio operators are often the first and last communication link in disasters. Many have backup power and emergency training. If you find a VHF amateur radio, try 145.500 MHz and local repeater frequencies.
HF Shortwave FrequenciesIf you find an HF radio: 7.030 MHz (40m amateur CW/Morse emergency), 14.300 MHz (20m amateur emergency net), and 5.680 MHz (international search and rescue). HF radio range varies with time of day and solar conditions — lower frequencies (3–7 MHz) work better at night, higher frequencies (14–21 MHz) work better during the day.
Morse Code & Low-Tech Encoding
METHOD ▼Morse code is one of the oldest electronic communication systems, and it remains one of the most robust. A Morse signal (CW — continuous wave) can be received at far weaker signal strengths than voice, meaning a crude, low-power transmitter using Morse can communicate over distances that would be impossible with voice. It can also be sent with light (torch flashes, mirror flashes), sound (whistle, banging), or even visual flags.
➖ Essential Morse Code
SOS: ••• ——— •••Three short, three long, three short. The universal distress signal. Can be sent by any means: torch flashes, whistle blasts, mirror flashes, banging on metal, radio key. Send it repeatedly with a pause between each group. If you learn nothing else, learn SOS — it has saved countless lives.
Full AlphabetA: •— B: —••• C: —•—• D: —•• E: • F: ••—• G: ——• H: •••• I: •• J: •——— K: —•— L: •—•• M: —— N: —• O: ——— P: •——• Q: ——•— R: •—• S: ••• T: — U: ••— V: •••— W: •—— X: —••— Y: —•—— Z: ——••
Numbers1: •———— 2: ••——— 3: •••—— 4: ••••— 5: ••••• 6: —•••• 7: ——••• 8: ———•• 9: ————• 0: —————
TimingA dot is one unit. A dash is three units. Gap between dots/dashes in the same letter: one unit. Gap between letters: three units. Gap between words: seven units. A “unit” can be any duration — half a second is comfortable for beginners. Consistency matters more than speed. Send slowly and clearly rather than fast and garbled.
Improvised Transmitters & Receivers
METHOD ▼Building a radio from scratch is at the advanced end of survival skills, but it’s not impossible — people have been building radios from salvaged parts since the 1900s. Even a crude receiver lets you listen for organised broadcasts, weather information, and other survivors. A crude transmitter can send Morse code signals over surprising distances.
📻 Crystal Radio Receiver (No Battery Required)
How It WorksA crystal radio uses the energy from radio waves themselves to power a tiny speaker. No battery needed. It receives AM (amplitude modulation) broadcasts — if any AM stations are still transmitting, a crystal radio will pick them up. Range depends on the antenna length and the station’s power, but 50–200km is common for commercial AM stations.
ComponentsAntenna: a long wire (10m+), hung as high as possible. Tuning coil: 60–80 turns of insulated wire wound around a cardboard tube (toilet roll works). Detector: a germanium diode (from any old radio/electronics) OR a “cat’s whisker” — a thin wire touching a galena crystal, iron pyrite, or even a rusty razor blade with a pencil lead. Earphone: a high-impedance earpiece (from an old phone handset, crystal earpiece, or piezoelectric buzzer). Ground: a wire connected to a metal rod driven into moist earth, or to a water pipe.
AssemblyConnect: antenna → one end of the tuning coil. Other end of coil → ground. Tap the detector (diode or cat’s whisker) across the coil (one lead to each end, or use a sliding contact to tune). Connect the earphone across the detector. Slide the contact along the coil to tune in stations. This design was used by POWs in WWII to receive news — it can be built from genuinely improvised parts.
📡 Improvised Morse Transmitter
ComponentsPower source: car battery (12V), stacked flashlight batteries, or any DC source. Oscillator: salvage a piezoelectric buzzer or build a simple oscillator from transistors scavenged from any electronic device. Antenna: long wire (as long as possible, ideally quarter-wavelength for your target frequency). Key: any two pieces of metal you can tap together to make/break the circuit. Ground.
RangeA crude spark-gap or oscillator transmitter with a car battery and a 15m wire antenna can send Morse code signals that a sensitive receiver can detect at 10–50+ km. This isn’t clean or legal by normal standards, but in a survival scenario, getting a signal out matters more than signal quality. Transmit on known distress or calling frequencies if you can estimate them.
SafetyImprovised transmitters can produce dangerous voltages, especially anything involving capacitors or ignition coils. Spark gaps produce UV radiation. Car batteries can explode if shorted. Do not touch antenna connections while transmitting. Keep improvised electronics dry. If you don’t understand what you’re building, focus on the crystal receiver (passive, safe) rather than a transmitter.
Group Communication & Schedules
METHOD ▼Once you’re part of a group or settlement, communication becomes about coordination: patrol schedules, foraging party check-ins, warnings of approaching danger, and maintaining contact between groups. Establishing communication protocols early prevents confusion and saves lives.
👥 Communication Protocols
Scheduled Contact TimesAgree on specific times for radio or visual check-ins. Example: “Every day at dawn and dusk, all foraging parties check in on Channel 3.” This conserves battery (radios can be off between check-ins) and ensures missed check-ins are noticed immediately — a missed check-in means something is wrong.
Emergency SignalsDefine clear, unmistakable emergency signals that everyone knows. Example: three whistle blasts = “come to me / help needed.” Continuous horn or bell = “danger, return to camp immediately.” Specific smoke colour = “hostile approach.” Keep signals simple — in a crisis, people forget complicated systems. Three of anything = emergency is the simplest universal standard.
Message DropsEstablish fixed locations where groups can leave written messages for each other: a specific rock, a marked tree, a building entrance. Check them on a schedule. This allows asynchronous communication between groups that don’t meet directly — like a physical email system. Weatherproof containers (jars, plastic bags, covered boxes) protect messages.
Code WordsIf radio transmissions might be heard by hostile parties, establish simple code words for sensitive information. Location names replaced with code names. “We’re bringing firewood” might mean “we found supplies.” Keep the system simple — complex codes are forgotten under stress. Even basic code prevents casual eavesdroppers from understanding your plans.
Quick-Reference Signalling Decision Flowchart
1
Who are you trying to reach?
→ Aircraft overhead: Signal fire (3 in a triangle), mirror flash, ground signals (V, X, I), bright clothing, flare. Do EVERYTHING at once.
→ People within 1–2km: Whistle (3 blasts), shout, banging on metal, torch at night.
→ People at unknown distance: Radio if available. Signal fire on high ground. Mirror sweeps across horizon.
→ Aircraft overhead: Signal fire (3 in a triangle), mirror flash, ground signals (V, X, I), bright clothing, flare. Do EVERYTHING at once.
→ People within 1–2km: Whistle (3 blasts), shout, banging on metal, torch at night.
→ People at unknown distance: Radio if available. Signal fire on high ground. Mirror sweeps across horizon.
2
Do you have a radio?
→ YES: Listen first. Try distress frequencies (Marine VHF Ch 16, Air Guard 121.5 MHz, FRS Ch 1). Use MAYDAY protocol for emergencies. Conserve battery — receive more, transmit less.
→ NO: Focus on visual and sound signals. Build and maintain signal fires. Create ground signals. Keep a mirror accessible at all times.
→ YES: Listen first. Try distress frequencies (Marine VHF Ch 16, Air Guard 121.5 MHz, FRS Ch 1). Use MAYDAY protocol for emergencies. Conserve battery — receive more, transmit less.
→ NO: Focus on visual and sound signals. Build and maintain signal fires. Create ground signals. Keep a mirror accessible at all times.
3
Are you staying or moving?
→ STAYING: Build permanent ground signals. Maintain signal fire. Establish elevated signalling position. Flash mirror periodically across the horizon.
→ MOVING: Leave written messages at every campsite and decision point (date, direction, group size). Mark your trail. Update ground signals at each new camp.
→ STAYING: Build permanent ground signals. Maintain signal fire. Establish elevated signalling position. Flash mirror periodically across the horizon.
→ MOVING: Leave written messages at every campsite and decision point (date, direction, group size). Mark your trail. Update ground signals at each new camp.
4
Are you in a group?
→ YES: Establish check-in schedules, emergency signals (3 blasts = help), message drop points, and rally points. Agree on signals before splitting up.
→ NO: Prioritise being found. Stay visible. Make camp in open areas. Keep signal materials ready at all times.
→ YES: Establish check-in schedules, emergency signals (3 blasts = help), message drop points, and rally points. Agree on signals before splitting up.
→ NO: Prioritise being found. Stay visible. Make camp in open areas. Keep signal materials ready at all times.