Survival Skills: Signaling For Help

This skill set doesn’t exactly boost our ego (since we are asking for help and admitting that we can’t do it all by ourselves). It is, however, the skill set most likely to get us rescued in a wilderness survival scenario. Modern technology can do a lot for us, when we carry and use personal locator beacons (PLBs) and even our regular mobile phone can save the day (if we remember to charge it before we head out). There are some other signaling tools that aren’t so “push button” in their operation and these require practice. Just one example is the the signal mirror. The beam of sunlight redirected from a mirror may be noticeable up to ten miles away, but it’s quite a challenge to hit a target with that beam (even a few hundred yards away). These skills require practice, and that’s best done before you run into trouble (not while you’re in trouble). Loud whistles are also a smart addition to your outdoor supplies, since they work day or night.

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Written by Tim MacWelch First draft published on outdoorlife.com