Chapter 26 · Printable appendices
E. Rescue signals: quick reference
In this section (4)
General rule: three of anything (three whistle blasts, three flashes, three fires in a triangle) means help. Details on how to make each signal: see chapter 8.
SOS
· · · — — — · · · — three short, three long, three short, with no pause between letters. Pause and repeat. Works with a flashlight, whistle, horn, or knocking. Short = one beat; long = three beats.
Morse code
| Letter | Code | Letter | Code | No./letter | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | · — | M | — — | Y | — · — — |
| B | — · · · | N | — · | Z | — — · · |
| C | — · — · | O | — — — | 0 | — — — — — |
| D | — · · | P | · — — · | 1 | · — — — — |
| E | · | Q | — — · — | 2 | · · — — — |
| F | · · — · | R | · — · | 3 | · · · — — |
| G | — — · | S | · · · | 4 | · · · · — |
| H | · · · · | T | — | 5 | · · · · · |
| I | · · | U | · · — | 6 | — · · · · |
| J | · — — — | V | · · · — | 7 | — — · · · |
| K | — · — | W | · — — | 8 | — — — · · |
| L | · — · · | X | — · · — | 9 | — — — — · |
Spacing: 1 beat between signals within a letter, 3 beats between letters, 7 beats between words.
Whistle
- Help: three short whistle blasts, pause, listen, and repeat. Change direction if you can.
- A whistle carries farther than the voice and uses less energy. Each adult should carry one in their bag.
Signal mirror
- Aim. Extend your arm and make a "V" with two fingers; place the aircraft, boat, or rescuer inside the "V."
- Reflect. Move the mirror until the reflection of the sun falls on your fingers and then on the target.
- Flash. Tilt the mirror slightly to make flashes. Sweep the horizon even if you do not see anyone.
- Stop when the aircraft confirms it saw you; the reflection can dazzle the pilot.
