Maximize Rescue – Signaling / Navigation
Rescue is the goal of every survival situation. Once you meet your primary needs, focus on rescue.
You’re only a survivor when you have been rescued. This means that you must be able to either get yourself out of the predicament you are in (self-rescue) or be rescued from that situation by others (assisted rescue).
Preparation is key-informing people of your intentions and timeframes will at least have someone wondering why you are not back yet. Be sure to leave an ISOPREP Report behind with someone you trust. (See Principle #1)
THE BIG ? Do I stay, or do I go? This is a major decision. Do you remain where you are or move to a location that offers a better chance of survival, rescue, or both. In general it is always best to stay where you are. It’s all too easy to make a rash decision and attempt to walk out of a situation only to put yourself in even greater danger.
Signaling While waiting for rescue maximize your odds by signaling. The key to signaling is contrast and movement.
Universal Distress Signal: SOS
Universal Distress Number: 3
Primary Signalling Methods:
- Sound: Create 3 loud blows with a whistle, or by banging metal objects together.
- Reflection: Reflect rays of the sun off of a mirror or shiny surface such as foil, a CD, or the bottom of a can to attract attention.
- Light: Using a flashlight or other light source turn on and off 3 times, and then wait 10-15 seconds to repeat.
- Fire: Create a large signal fire by adding green vegetation to your fire. For best results, create 3 fire platforms that can be easily and quickly lit.
- Flagging: Using a t-shirt, bandanna, or other material create a flag to wave at potential rescuers.
Ground-to-air: To make ground-to-air marker, use anything that contrasts with the ground. Make sure it is big and visible. Common markers: SOS or HELP Emergency Ground to Air Code:
- V: Needs Assistance
- X: Needs Emergency Assistance
- ->: Direction of Travel
Navigation
With proper planning you should have taken a compass and a map with you on your adventure, and you should have the ability to properly read a map and use a compass. Often time’s people find themselves lost, and unable to determine direction, because they failed to be prepared.
Determine General Direction (Northern Hemisphere) If you can see the sun, you can use an analog watch as a protractor to determine an approximate direction. Ensure it is set to the correct local time. If you don’t have a watch but time, simply draw a watch.
Point the hour hand towards the sun, and bisect the angle between the hour hand and 12 o’clock. That is your North South Line.
Dead Reckoning When navigating across land, you’re less likely to get lost if you take direct bearing from one feature to another. This will prevent you from going in circles.
When obstacles are in your way simply box around them, or use your pace beads to pace out around the object.
Using these simple rescue techniques could greatly increase your odds of rescue and survival. Be sure to watch the corresponding video below for further instructor, and as always be sure to share and subscribe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yi92DWx0yc&feature=youtu.be
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