SIGNALS:
One man rigged a parachute in an arrow to mark the direction he was traveling.
Two others dug deep trenches and stacked blocs of earth to contrast with the terrain.
Tramp messages in the snow, oriented North to South so that shadows are emphasized.
Messages can be spelled out with rocks, sod blocks, logs, signal panels.
Fire signals (3) should be spaced about 100 feet from one another, placed in a triangular pattern.
Along a river or ravine place the 3 fires in a straight line about 100 feet apart.
Prepare the fire in an open place: a field, a swamp, or on raft floated on a lake or bog.
Protect the fire against weather. have them ready to light with dry wood, candle, and tinder etc.
Keep a fuel reserve of green branches & grass at hand to generate smoke in emergencies.
You can use engine oil and/or rubber to produce a thick black smoke.
Forest rangers, campers & rescuers who see smoke during the day and/or light at night may investigate the cause.
If a temperature inversion retains the smoke at low altitudes, a large fire may punch through the inversion.
Be Careful! Take all necessary precautions and MAKE SURE the fires will not spread. It’s better to be lost in the wilderness than having your remains found in the ashes of a wildfire.
Some survival kits contain signal panels (red or orange tissue measuring 8" wide by 10’ long) which can be spiked in open ground or waved while standing on a crest or peak.
Snow may be colored with sea dye or smoke from a flare/rocket.
To help any rescuers, mark your route (blaze, rock piles, ribbons, etc.) if attempting self-rescue.
WINTER = snow block wall, line the blocks along the trench from which the snow blocks were cut.
WINTER = Tramped in the snow, lay green boughs in the snow or STICK them in the snow & build a wall of brush
SUMMER = Rock pile signals, bush or logs for letters. Use fresh peeled logs and bark or sod blocks.
1) Have your signals all ready & show them effectively.
2) Prepare as many types of signals as you can at the best possible site.
3) Protect signals & equipment from moisture and cold.
4) Remember that any unusual sign or color contrast is visible from the air, even a single trail in the snow.
5) Use gun sparingly & with caution.
6) Smoke and a Mirror are your BEST signal when no radio.
7) Care for signal equipment and learn how to use it.
TORCH TREE:
1) Select an evergreen tree with thick foliage, one that is isolated from other tree to stop forest fire danger.
2) In winter shake the tree, use a rope to do so, or hammer the base and remove as much snow and ice as possible.
3) Build a "bird's nest" in the lower branches of the tree using branches of other trees with dry kindling/bark.
4) Around the base of the tree, prepare a bonfire-using feather sticks, dry splintered wood, bark (birch best), gas or any combustible material around, oil from plane allowed to spill on ground before it freezes in the motor, can also be used without problems.
5) This bonfire will burn and ignite the bird's nest which helps fire up the whole tree making it a gigantic torch visible for miles around by plane or anyone around.
6) Prepare this signal in advance and use precaution against getting the kindling wet or wind shift spreading fires.
FLASH FIRES:
If gas and oil are available use only when plane is sighted. Pour the fuel on the ground or saturate piece of tissue & light them when needed. Oil may need to be warmed up before it lights on fire.
HELIOGRAPH MIRROR PLATE OR NOT:
This device has probably been responsible for affecting more rescues than any other methods. It is simply a mirror with a hole at its center that reflects light accurately towards rescuers. It can be seen many miles away on a clear day. If you have no mirror – IMPROVISE
A long lasting smudge can be built however by covering hot coals with humid green foliage, wet dead leaves, slowly burning green wood, moist decayed wood, damp animal dung etc.
The most universal noted distress signals are based on three 3 flashes, 3 shots etc. SOS = *** +++ ***
Unfortunately no general agreement as to how signal shots out to be spaced.
WHISTLES: DON'T shout, just blow the whistle. Shouting makes you tired, creates panic and exhausts you.
A flag may be something as small as a handkerchief or a shirt knotted to the end of a 6 foot pole.
You will find that the easiest way to keep the flag flat for maximum visibility will be to move it in tight loops.
Emergency blankets (space blanket) makes a good ground marker/flag. The Mylar (shiny) side may even be visible at night, either in the moonlight or used to reflect firelight.
NIGHT FLARES RECIPE
1 tablespoon sodium chlorate
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons of magnesium powder from road flare mix and wrap in tin foil and fuse has a 10 second duration and is very bright
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