Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with visual signals, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You are stranded, injured, or lost and need aircraft, boats, or distant rescuers to notice you.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Three signals together. Big ground letters. Bright cloth. Mirror flash.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You hear aircraft or boat but they pass without seeing you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remote terrain — no phone signal.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Search teams scan for unnatural patterns and movement.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Contrast and repetition beat single weak signals.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to highest open ground safe for injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Start whistle or horn in three short bursts.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lay branches or rocks in 3m symbols — need air view.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep smoky fire going in day — bright flame at night if safe.
When and how to get professional help.
Combine signals with any radio or phone attempt when possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Maximize visibility. Search coordination is for rescue services.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Visual signals supplement — not replace — emergency communication when phone works.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Inform rescuers in advance what signal you will use if pre-registering trek.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT waste battery on phone torch without SOS pattern in darkness.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT run after moving vehicle on unsafe terrain.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shouting is enough for rescuers kilometres away
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sound does not carry in wind or mountains. Large visual contrast works at distance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remaining hidden under cover while search passes.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Auditory signals
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You need nearby people or search teams to hear you through forest, rubble, or fog.
Offline message
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Network down but you must reach family or authorities with status or location.
Help without phone
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Phone dead, no signal, or no device — you still need to reach emergency services.
Call emergency
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You need ambulance, fire, or police and must reach the correct emergency number quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rescue pilots trained on international distress symbols.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay at signal site once spotted — moving loses location.