Outdoor Survival Tips
Helpful Tips for New ATV Riders
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Signaling - Attracking Rescuers
Of all the signaling devices that are used in this
age of air assisted rescue, possibly the most useful one is the smallest,
simplest, and the one that is least used and understood by most of us who
venture into the Outdoors...THE SIGNAL MIRROR. Everyone talks about it,
knows about it, but more often than not, nobody really carries one with them or
really understands its practical use or potential life saving benefit.
You should have one in your pack or on your person
anytime that you venture into the deep woods, mountains or unfamiliar terrain.
This is not a shaving mirror or a cheap toy, but a tool for survival that you
must appreciate and understand how to use effectively. You do not just flash at
will with a signal mirror, you must create a visible and consistent reflection
of light towards the direction of your potential rescuer.
The first step in using a signal mirror is to
properly sight it. Hold your mirror surface towards the target that you are
trying to signal in one hand close to your face, or off your forehead. Put your
other hand in front of you in an outstretched fashion, focus the reflection of
the sun onto your hand, adjust your hand and mirror upward and out so that the
reflection off the mirror surface coincides with the direction of your intended
target area. Using your free hand as a sight line, adjust the reflection to
fulfill your needs. You must determine where your signal is going in order for
it to be effective and readjust as you or the sun move around the sky.
As with any OUTDOOR SAFETY SKILL, this one also
requires some practice to master long before you may find yourself in a position
where you really have to rely on it. Take the time to try it in your back yard,
or in camp trying to signal a friend in the distance. Practice, Practice,
Practice are the basic fundamentals of acquiring any new skill that you wish to
add to your personal safety arsenal. YOU MUST BE AWARE TO BE PREPARED, IT'S
YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Few people realize how far mirror flashes will
carry. For best results, the air should be clear and the sun high in the sky,
BUT surprisingly strong reflections can be achieved even on hazy or overcast
days. The flashes can and may be seen even when you can not see the airplane,
just sweep the horizon as there may be someone out there who will see your
signal. Consistent bright reflections are a readily recognized distress signal
by all who venture into the outdoors...remember to investigate any that you
might see on your treks into the Outdoors. If you are not really lost but are
having some other difficulty such as a minor injury, look at your map for fire
towers or Forest Service lookouts, take a compass fix on it and aim your mirror
in that direction. In all cases, PERSEVERE, keep at it and don't give up, most
rescue sightings are from the air or from distant high vantages.
At night, use fire as a signal by arranging three
small fires in a triangular form, use your flashing EMERGENCY STROBE (or
there is a new product marketed under the name SAFE SIGNAL), available
from MPI Outdoors. It is a highly reflective signal mirror for use during the
day and also has special properties so it can function to signal at night.
During the daylight hours the highly bright mirror surface on one side is
utilized as you would any signal mirror, but at night the reverse side of the
mirror has a special red surface that you use in conjunction with your
flashlight to create a brilliant red flashing beacon of light to help attract
attention for up to a distance of 3 miles from the air and as far on the ground
depending on the surrounding terrain and the prevailing weather conditions.
If you find yourself without a signal mirror in a
survival situation, improvise with a can lid that you can shine up, use your
polished knife blade, or your SPACE EMERGENCY BLANKET wrapped over a
circular frame created by lashing off a green branch, this makes an excellent
large mirror surface from which to create a reflection. BE PREPARED TO HELP
MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF YOUR LOCATION.
This page is provided as a service to North East
Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club visitors. North East Wisconsin Riders Inc.
ATV Club can not be held responsible for errors contained in this page or any
other section of this website. North East Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club
strives to ensure that all our content is kept up-to-date. North East Wisconsin
Riders Inc. ATV Club is an all volunteer organization and please remember North
East Wisconsin Riders Inc. ATV Club is NOT offering any legal advice. We
are simply trying to raise awareness. As an ATV owner it is your responsibility
to know and understand the rules and regulations regarding your ATV and the
surrounding community. Lets all try to work together to educate each other.
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