Signals to Use Should You Become Lost in the Wilderness
Sept 24, 2013 8:55:29 GMT -7
Cwi555, graf, and 4 more like this
Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 24, 2013 8:55:29 GMT -7
Mud posted a great thread titled "How to Not Get Lost" by becoming familiar with the usage of a compass and map. In today's society all too often cell phones and GPS systems are the "go to" items brought along instead while camping and hiking. Unfortunately those do have their drawbacks, batteries fail, natural surroundings of obstructions will not allow transmissions from your cellphone to call anyone for help and of course let's not forget breakage from getting dropped or even losing them. So without these in unfamiliar areas odds are not in your favor and you can get lost which is when the knowledge of signals becomes important.
The smart thing to do is inform someone of your location and length of time you plan staying in that location before returning home. Doing this gives search and rescue teams a specific area to search should you not return home at the time you specified. Once you realize you're lost seek higher ground in a cleared spot, on the outer edge of the woods if possible so you may be easier spotted and stay put. Wondering aimlessly around may take you to an area that has previously been searched and lessens your chances of being found plus you waste energy you'll need later. Your next plan of action should be focusing on spending the night or a couple in the great outdoors.
Once you find a suitable spot your next priority is gathering fire wood and starting a fire and building a shelter to protect you from the elements or weather conditions. Shade is needed to prevent sunburn and dehydration. Getting soaked from a downpour or cold temps will lead to hypothermia.
Smart campers and hikers are usually prepared should they become lost. Amongst their gear are many items which can be used to signal for rescue help. These items are your lifeline even more so should you become immobile due to injuries you sustained which is highly likely why you didn't return home at a scheduled time. They are:
whistles - injured or not it takes little energy to blow one while its sound can be heard for quite a distance and beats hollering, especially if you've gone for days without drinking water and your throat is dry making your screams for help barely audible.
shiny items - mirrors, cd's, aluminum foil, mylar space blankets, soda cans, metal canteens, cooking pots and pans and even large belt buckles in a pinch have been used with the sun to attract attention for rescue.
fire - if able to move freely building a pyre in an open elevated area is a great signal to use in daytime or at night. Any accelerants to get it quickly lit should be used and may include papers, plastic items, wax candles, liquid fuel, animal fats, fat wood and pine pitch to name a few. Of course black smoke rising from a fire can be spotted for miles in daytime so any rubber items thrown on a day fire will produce these. They include rubber pouches, rubber shoe soles, vehicle tires, damp seaweed, green vegetation and of course branches with green leaves such as pine or spruce boughs. Night fires are easily spotted, the bigger your fire, the better to be seen, think bonfires.
Flashlights and flashing beacons are also used at night for signaling. Three short flashes from a flashlight to low flyers over treetops designate a need for help or provide your location. Flares and glow sticks are others items for night signaling. Tie a string to a glow stick, when you hear the sounds of low flying searchers, activate the glow stick and begin swirling it in circles, pilots have said they are highly visible from above.
Firearms - fire 3 shots spaced out for others who may hear it to identify it as a distress signal.
Items in sets of 3's - like items in sets of 3's indicate a distress signal. three stacks of rocks in the opening, three items of clothing spaced out and hoisted up on tree branches near an opening will contrast with natural surroundings, flags made from a tarp, and three stacks of tree branches are ideas.
If you're near a beach use lots of rocks or coconuts to form large letters or print large letters at least fifteen feet tall spelling out SOS. If you're near an open field, use leaved tree branches, pegged down pieces of clothing or tarps, even found junk to spell out SOS for a rescue and again do in large print.
Only, and I can't stress this enough, only think of lighting a dead tree in drought stricken areas as a last resort. In the process you may be setting a death trap for yourself as well as others fighting the forest fire it will create.
I hope this helps someone should they find themselves in a lost situation.
The smart thing to do is inform someone of your location and length of time you plan staying in that location before returning home. Doing this gives search and rescue teams a specific area to search should you not return home at the time you specified. Once you realize you're lost seek higher ground in a cleared spot, on the outer edge of the woods if possible so you may be easier spotted and stay put. Wondering aimlessly around may take you to an area that has previously been searched and lessens your chances of being found plus you waste energy you'll need later. Your next plan of action should be focusing on spending the night or a couple in the great outdoors.
Once you find a suitable spot your next priority is gathering fire wood and starting a fire and building a shelter to protect you from the elements or weather conditions. Shade is needed to prevent sunburn and dehydration. Getting soaked from a downpour or cold temps will lead to hypothermia.
Smart campers and hikers are usually prepared should they become lost. Amongst their gear are many items which can be used to signal for rescue help. These items are your lifeline even more so should you become immobile due to injuries you sustained which is highly likely why you didn't return home at a scheduled time. They are:
whistles - injured or not it takes little energy to blow one while its sound can be heard for quite a distance and beats hollering, especially if you've gone for days without drinking water and your throat is dry making your screams for help barely audible.
shiny items - mirrors, cd's, aluminum foil, mylar space blankets, soda cans, metal canteens, cooking pots and pans and even large belt buckles in a pinch have been used with the sun to attract attention for rescue.
fire - if able to move freely building a pyre in an open elevated area is a great signal to use in daytime or at night. Any accelerants to get it quickly lit should be used and may include papers, plastic items, wax candles, liquid fuel, animal fats, fat wood and pine pitch to name a few. Of course black smoke rising from a fire can be spotted for miles in daytime so any rubber items thrown on a day fire will produce these. They include rubber pouches, rubber shoe soles, vehicle tires, damp seaweed, green vegetation and of course branches with green leaves such as pine or spruce boughs. Night fires are easily spotted, the bigger your fire, the better to be seen, think bonfires.
Flashlights and flashing beacons are also used at night for signaling. Three short flashes from a flashlight to low flyers over treetops designate a need for help or provide your location. Flares and glow sticks are others items for night signaling. Tie a string to a glow stick, when you hear the sounds of low flying searchers, activate the glow stick and begin swirling it in circles, pilots have said they are highly visible from above.
Firearms - fire 3 shots spaced out for others who may hear it to identify it as a distress signal.
Items in sets of 3's - like items in sets of 3's indicate a distress signal. three stacks of rocks in the opening, three items of clothing spaced out and hoisted up on tree branches near an opening will contrast with natural surroundings, flags made from a tarp, and three stacks of tree branches are ideas.
If you're near a beach use lots of rocks or coconuts to form large letters or print large letters at least fifteen feet tall spelling out SOS. If you're near an open field, use leaved tree branches, pegged down pieces of clothing or tarps, even found junk to spell out SOS for a rescue and again do in large print.
Only, and I can't stress this enough, only think of lighting a dead tree in drought stricken areas as a last resort. In the process you may be setting a death trap for yourself as well as others fighting the forest fire it will create.
I hope this helps someone should they find themselves in a lost situation.