If you are lost in the wilderness, two principles apply:
- Stay alive as long as possible.
- Get noticed, someone is probably looking for you.
You need to know how to create a distress signal. Otherwise, the search team is unlikely to find you.
There are three important methods:
- Build a large “SOS” or “X” with stones or tree trunks on the ground. It is visible from above and is a universal distress signal.
- Send a signal in Morse code using a flashlight, mirror or whistle. The international SOS Morse code is · · · − − − · · ·, three short, three long, three short.
As with any initial or unanswered transmission, the call - here, SOS - must be sent three times in a row (so · · · − − · · · · · · − − − · · · · · · − − − · · · ).
- Light a signal fire and burn materials heavily soaked in soot. These are materials containing petroleum, such as plastic or rubber.
If you have a flare or emergency light, only use it if you think other people are nearby (you usually only get one chance).
