Signaling for Rescue: Be Seen, Be Heard

Objective

Be seen and heard using panels, mirrors, sound, and night lighting matched to rescue windows.

Scenario (Example)

Example: Solo hiker with ankle sprain; clear skies till 18:00, then overcast; occasional aircraft.

Ground-to-Air

• Panels: big arrow or SOS; straight, long lines.
• Triangles of three: fires or reflectives.
• Movement: slow, deliberate waves.

Mirror Technique

1. Face sun; V with fingers.
2. Sweep the bright dot across the aircraft path.
3. Start before the pass; lead the target.

Sound

• Whistle: three short blasts every minute.
• Use canyon walls to throw sound.

Night

• Headlamp/strobe in SOS.
• Chem light on cord—slow circle.

Real Example

Treeline group used a triangle of ponchos and a dusk mirror sweep to cue a helicopter on its first turn.

Checklist

• Signal mirror or foil
• Hi-vis panel/tarp
• Whistle
• Headlamp

Contingencies

• No sun → panels + whistle; save flares for line-of-sight.
• Dense canopy → move to clearings/ridges.
• Aircraft depart → hold position; they’re vectoring ground teams.

After-Action

Repack with a dedicated mirror and hi-vis panel; note what drew attention fastest.

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