How to use a rescue signal
mirror BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
Emergency signal mirrors. At one time it seemed almost magic to me how adept outdoors people were able to direct a bright flash from the sun directly at rescuers. How did they do that? All my attempts ended in failure. No matter how carefully I aimed, the mirror’s flash always missed the target. But it’s a learnable skill. Everyone who goes into the wilds – canoeing, backpacking, sailing or fishing – needs to know how to signal rescuers if things go wrong. Trouble can happen suddenly, without warning: the canoe overturns and you lose your gear, the outboard motor quits while you’re fishing in a far-off bay, or the car engine dies on a remote country road. Knowing how to use a signal mirror increases anyone’s safety margin and boosts confidence in a tight spot. Easy signalling with a mirror needs only one thing – bright sunlight. And it can also work under a full moon if the sky is clear. Almost any reflective material can
work: a cosmetic mirror, a polished knife blade, a tin can lid. There are also professional signal mirrors costing about $10 at outdoor stores, though few people pack them and could regret their neglect should trouble strike. Under ideal conditions a signal mirror can be seen more than 30 kilometres away.
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SIGNALLING ABCS So how do you use it? If you’re
lucky enough to have a professional quality signal mirror, use the built- in sighting aperture. It looks like an insect screen built into a see- through hole in the mirror. Raise the mirror to your eye, point it in the general direction of the sun, and direct the sun’s reflection onto the ground near your feet. Next, locate the circular glare from the sun on the mirror s sighting aperture. Then by tilting the mirror, place that glare directly over your signalling target – a rescue aircraft, other hikers or a boat. Learning takes about 10 seconds. That’s all. If you don’t have a professional
quality signal mirror when you need it, use anything shiny. Simply face in the general direction of the sun, hold a shiny object like a polished metal can or mirror up to just below your eye, and extend your other arm out straight, pointing a finger directly at the rescue aircraft or ship. Then play the sun’s reflection over your pointing finger. The sun’s reflection will extend from your pointing finger directly at your target.
Some people prefer to form a “V”
with their fingers, and place the rescue target at the bottom of the “V.” Continue playing the reflection slowly over your pointing fingers or “V” until the rescuers see you.
GOOD ADVICE There’s a recognized internation- al distress signal, a triple flash, so should you try to use it? I wouldn’t. A signal mirror is not a precision signalling device. Just continue flashing until someone sees you and turns in your direction. Practise signalling with a mirror
before you need it. It’s a great activity to do with friends for fun. When you’re lost and frightened is a bad time to try to learn. Be careful. The sun’s glare from a signal mirror is bright enough to damage the human eye. Never practise your signalling technique on airplanes, passing cars or people who don’t know exactly what and why you are doing it. That’s not only dangerous, but illegal.
A signal mirror fits easily into a
pack. Don’t leave for the woods without one.
ottawaoutdoors 15
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