them with rocks to attract the attention of passing aircraft. If you don’t have
one of these bags, try orange surveyor’s tape, aluminum foil, or anything
bright or reflective. Spelling out SOS or HELP is internationally recognized
but can be laborintensive. If you don’t have the materials or energy to do
so, a large V or X should do the trick.
If you have nothing in your kit with which to make a traditional sig
nal, you can use natural materials to attract attention to yourself. Use rocks,
logs, brush, seaweed, or branches formed in words or arrows or any obvi
ous marking. If you don’t have any of these materials on hand, you can still
make a signal by clearing away or burning bushes and other ground cover,
or even tramping down snow.
Vehicle wreckage signals: In some cases, your survival situation may
include a vehicle (car, snowmobile, plane, or canoe). Your vehicle is big
and conspicuous and will attract attention. Stay with it if you suspect res
cue may be on its way. If you can fashion your vehicle into your shelter, all
the better. Now it’s serving two purposes.
In addition, you may be able to use parts of the vehicle to attract
attention. Arrange them in a way that makes them conspicuous. Your vehi
cle’s lights and horn are also powerful means of attracting attention.
If you can get a tire off your car (or have a spare), add it to your signal
fire. Burning rubber creates thick black smoke. (Burning a tire is not the
most environmentally friendly option available, but when it comes to life
or death, that is not an issue. Your goal is to live; you can dedicate yourself
to environmental causes when you return to safety.)
Oils and fuels are also good for creating smoke, especially when rags
are soaked in them.
Audio signals: Although audio signals aren’t effective in alerting aircraft,
they can work well for signaling to groundbased rescuers and passersby.
Even if you’re not sure that someone is looking for you, it can’t hurt to
make as much noise as possible.
One audio signal that does not work very well in the wilderness is
your voice; it doesn’t carry far enough. A survival whistle, however, is excel
lent, and the better commercial ones can be heard more than a mile away.
Gunshots are also audible from a great distance, though you will have to
(^62) | Survive!