Author Topic: What signalling devices are in your pack right now? (Read 11953 times)

PetrifiedWood · « **on:** July 16, 2014, 01:59:09 PM »

Just curious.

Wilderbeast · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2014, 02:10:56 PM »

In my day pack I have keep a mirror a whistle and my cell phone will be with me. I keep a red bandana and in hunting season a blaze orange hat and vest, and several means to make fire, all of which can be used to signal.

Plus I can usually make a few loud bangs with one of the other things I carry

.

xj35s · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2014, 02:33:54 PM »

I have a couple cylum sticks. Also a mirror and a little bit of trail marker tape or surveyors tape. It's florescent Orange.

Draco · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2014, 02:58:19 PM »

Mirror, whistle, surveyor tape, and the 38 special in my pocket.

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2014, 03:28:21 PM »

In my pack, I carry one of those red-dot signaling mirrors I liberated from the service when I left. I also have a pen flare gun, and a half dozen flares. Then there's the "police whistle", and an orange piece of plastic about 5'x7'. And a roll of orange surveyor's tape for trail marking.

upthecreek · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2014, 03:33:39 PM »

mirror, gun & fire makers for me. I do carry my cell phone if I know I'm going out a ways otherwise I leave it at home.
'
Creek

Nemo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2014, 04:41:38 PM »

The usual stuff for sight signaling. I also carry a modified dual tone whistle, very unnatural sound that grabs attention.

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2014, 04:48:53 PM »

mirror, flashlight, fire kit

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2014, 04:54:17 PM »

There's at least one brand of focused beam LED pocket flashlights that has a strobe setting. When I saw my son's, I thought that might be handy if you needed it. He picked his up for under $20.

wolfy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2014, 05:36:32 PM »

Those 3-way focusable LED flashlights that PW brought to our attention for less than $5 have a strobe setting. I carry one in my hip pocket at all times. The noisemaker I have in my possibles is one of those plastic high-volume hiker's model whistles. The mirrors on the Brunton pocket transit and its Chinese $24.88 knockoff that I reviewed and always carry, both have holes in them for sighting and signaling......work s quite well.

hunter63 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2014, 06:07:25 PM »

Whistle, (couple), mirror, flashlight (couple)....tape and some sort of bang maker.
Phone and small Motorola radio.

kanukkarhu · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2014, 07:03:24 PM »

Mirror, whistle, emergency blanket, flashlight, and usually a small piece of fluorescent tape to attach to the outside of my pack. Fire, if you count that as a signalling device.

wolfy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2014, 07:06:43 PM »

I forgot to mention the ferro rod for fire & the cell phone.

Draco · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2014, 07:19:58 PM »

Quote from: wolfy on July 16, 2014, 07:06:43 PM

I forgot to mention the ferro rod for fire & the cell phone.

I forgot the fire starters, cell phone, and ham radio. LOL I just got an IC-92d that is water resistant to 3 meters and does dstar. Really cool radio.

wsdstan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2014, 07:48:23 PM »

I have a mirror with a hole in the middle. I use it to shave once in awhile but it is a signal device.

wolfy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2014, 08:09:38 PM »

Quote from: wsdstan on July 16, 2014, 07:48:23 PM

I have a mirror with a hole in the middle. I use it to shave once in awhile but it is a signal device.

That's why your wife always complains about that spot you miss on your chin.

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2014, 08:16:54 PM »

Quote from: wolfy on July 16, 2014, 07:06:43 PM

... the ferro rod for fire & the cell phone.

I understand the fire, but how does one use a ferro rod with a cell phone?

wsdstan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2014, 08:18:15 PM »

Quote from: wolfy on July 16, 2014, 08:09:38 PM

Quote from: wsdstan on July 16, 2014, 07:48:23 PM
I have a mirror with a hole in the middle. I use it to shave once in awhile but it is a signal device.

That's why your wife always complains about that spot you miss on your chin.

Gosh, is she complaining to you too?

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2014, 08:29:39 PM »

I've been reading and pondering this topic now for a bit.

Mirror, flashlight, whistle....all fine choices. But how does one go about attracting attention, and indicating they need help if nobody is already looking for them?

In my environment, a signal mirror would only be partially effective for ground-to-air signaling, if the tree cover permitted it.
A whistle has a limited range in a forest, and even then if a person wasn't blowing "SOS" with it, it could be ignored.
Things like bright colored material, again, mainly to mark your spot if being sought from the air.
A blinking flashlight, unless someone watched long enough to know you were flashing SOS, could easily be dismissed as just another hiker on the trail.
Three shots? Really bad marksman. 3 more shots, 30 minutes later? REALLY bad hunter, and stupid deer.

That's why I carry flares. It's pretty freakin' hard to ignore a streak of red phosphorus shooting up out of the trees. If nothing else, the Rangers or Border Patrol will show up to write me a ticket for shooing off fireworks.

wolfy · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2014, 08:35:02 PM »

Quote from: Old Philosopher on July 16, 2014, 08:16:54 PM

Quote from: wolfy on July 16, 2014, 07:06:43 PM
... the ferro rod for fire & the cell phone.
I understand the fire, but how does one use a ferro rod with a cell phone?

I figger'd you knew I had a knife or two in my pocket, too.

Quote from: wsdstan on July 16, 2014, 08:18:15 PM

Quote from: wolfy on July 16, 2014, 08:09:38 PM
Quote from: wsdstan on July 16, 2014, 07:48:23 PM
I have a mirror with a hole in the middle. I use it to shave once in awhile but it is a signal device.

That's why your wife always complains about that spot you miss on your chin.

Gosh, is she complaining to you too?

imnukensc · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2014, 09:21:05 PM »

OP mentioned "SOS." One of the problems with that is.........someone has to know what SOS is.

True story, but I'll make it very brief. In 1989 I broke my back in a hunting accident. I knew the guy I was hunting with would be able to hear it if I fired SOS with my .22 pistol (10 shot) and he knew where I was. An hour later with no help arriving, I fired SOS again. Still no help. How the hell someone thinks 3 quick shots, followed by 3 shots with a pause in between each, followed by 3 quick shots is someone "target shooting" is beyond me. I think what pissed me off the most is the guy was ex military and couldn't recognize SOS for what it was.

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2014, 09:31:09 PM »

Quote from: imnukensc on July 16, 2014, 09:21:05 PM

OP mentioned "SOS." One of the problems with that is.........someone has to know what SOS is.

True story, but I'll make it very brief. In 1989 I broke my back in a hunting accident. I knew the guy I was hunting with would be able to hear it if I fired SOS with my .22 pistol (10 shot) and he knew where I was. An hour later with no help arriving, I fired SOS again. Still no help. How the hell someone thinks 3 quick shots, followed by 3 shots with a pause in between each, followed by 3 quick shots is someone "target shooting" is beyond me. I think what pissed me off the most is the guy was ex military and couldn't recognize SOS for what it was.

Maybe...just maybe he would have recognized 3 fairly quick shots (not rapid fire), a pause, then TWO shots spaced the same as the first 3, then a second pause and then 3 quick ones again?

SOS in Morse code is ... .. ...
SOS in International Code Is ... --- ... (but you can't make a 'dash' with a gunshot )

When I was teaching hunter safety, the standard distress signal was 3 shots close together. Every 30 minutes. 50 years later, they were still teaching that to my kids. Probably because not many people DO know Morse Code, and the "threes" is standard in other forms, too. (Three fires, three straight lines, etc.)

U.W. · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2014, 09:37:25 PM »

Hmmm...

-Cell phone (no use when no signal though, I think)
-Multiple ways to make fire
-Whistle
-Small metal containers sealed with lead on top - makes LOUD BANGS (stored in long, open top, rectangular container)
-Camera (perhaps a little "outside the box thinking" BUT... it has a flash on it that's quite bright, and could be used to signal)
-TP

that's about it off the top of my head...

u.w.

madmax · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2014, 10:52:57 AM »

Just packed for a trip. Flashlight(s), mirror, e.blanket, whistle, fire kit. The flashlights and whistle would be the likeliest to attract attention in the Smokies here. Maybe a smoky fire in an area that shouldn't have smoke, like a lot of the park.

Old Philosopher · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2014, 12:36:05 PM »

Quote from: U.W. on July 16, 2014, 09:37:25 PM

...
-TP
...

All Purpose Paper is highly underrated, and most folks carry only a small amount. Can be used for laying out distress signals ("X", "SOS", etc.). Good stuff to have in abundance.

Lamewolf · « **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2014, 02:16:07 PM »

2 meter amateur handheld transceiver and a 40 meter amateur CW transceiver, along with an LED beacon light, a Streamlight Stylus Pro, a whisle, and a mirror.

Draco · « **Reply #26 on:** July 17, 2014, 02:32:19 PM »

Quote from: U.W. on July 16, 2014, 09:37:25 PM

-Cell phone (no use when no signal though, I think)

True when no signal. However when a marginal signal is available that is too poor to make a call you can still text successfully.

abo4ster · « **Reply #27 on:** July 25, 2014, 09:09:28 PM »

Excellent idea for a post.

Whistle
Signal Mirror
Emergency Blanket
Flashlight
Garbage Bags
Firesteel (scraping as a light)
Signal fire making tools - matches, cordage, etc.

Neomaz · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2014, 03:31:07 PM »

So like most I have a whistle and a small Dog Tag single mirror but as I was clicking respond to this post my wife got home and asked what I was doing. So I told her...my mistake because she laughed at me and responded she has me beat.... she clicked her 140db rape alarm

So my ears might be bleeding, I think I suffered brain damage...and of course she won.

Way to think outside the box

Now wheres the aspirin!!

U.W. · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2014, 05:46:22 PM »

Ouch!! That makes my ears hurt just reading it.... I hafta agree with ya too - she won, lol.

u.w.

Outbackwack · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2014, 06:11:48 PM »

Signalling mirror/compass, whistle(s), green LED 5 mile laser pointer, lots of fire starting stuff, Baofeng UV-5RA dual band transceiver, cell phone, Walther PPS and a damn loud voice ;-)

RatherBeElsewhere · « **Reply #31 on:** October 13, 2014, 06:09:00 PM »

Nothing brought for the purpose of signaling but things that could be used such as tin foil and orange cord. In reality signaling isn't a high priority for me.

The cord is for guy lines and trail markers as my nav is currently lacking. The tinfoil has a multitude of uses.

druid189 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 19, 2015, 02:00:54 AM »

I have a plastic signal mirror, Fox40 Whistle and 1000 lumen LED flashlight with strobe

Indiana Hillbilly · « **Reply #33 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:28:52 AM »

Yep standard stuff for me.

Whistle
Mirror
Surveyers tape
Cotton cloth that is red
Fire making stuff

Yeoman · « **Reply #34 on:** February 19, 2015, 10:53:32 AM »

Quote from: Indiana Hillbilly on February 19, 2015, 06:28:52 AM

Yep standard stuff for me.

Whistle
Mirror
Surveyers tape
Cotton cloth that is red
Fire making stuff

That's pretty much what I carry too, with the addition of a cell phone and a white turtle light.
Throughout most of NS, the mirror is useless because of tree cover, but it's on my compass so it comes anyway.
The whistle, light and a spark stick are always around my neck.
I carry the flagging tape out of habit because of GSAR work. I always figured that when I get lost, I will string the 50m of tape in a straight line, both to aid searchers and to keep me from loosing my camp spot if I go get wood or water etc.

Mannlicher · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2015, 11:03:21 AM »

can't really add anything, but I do carry my cell phone and a battery charger in my pack when out in the woods. I keep it turned off, but most places I go have cell service.

hiwa · « **Reply #36 on:** February 26, 2015, 12:19:36 PM »

Whistle
signal mirror
orange flagging tape
cell and usb battery pack
Air horn under jeep seat

Signal mirror saved us when our boat motor died once.

MnSportsman · « **Reply #37 on:** February 26, 2015, 07:58:39 PM »

Kind of a sideline thing...But for you "paddlers", or "kayakers" & "canoers".

I was raised up on learning this stuff from having a Scoutmaster for a Dad, an Explorer Scout as an older brother, & my simple 1st class scout experience. In addition, actually attended a MnDnr sponsored, Coast Guard School Course for Boating and Watercraft Navigation... Passed with flying colors, BTW.. And I was just a lad...

LOL

Anyway... I learned that "flying paddles", Or, "Waving your paddles in the air", back and forth, is a sign of that you are in "distress", and all craft able to respond, should respond to help out in any way that they can...

Did something change?

I know... maybe a "side track" to the OP... but rather than start a new topic... Just wanted to know if anyone remembered the "Old School" stuff, about signalling on the water , with the "wave" technique?

Maybe I am just another "relic " of other times...,or just a "derelict". But, those things I am mentioning, were actually a "signaling method", at one time... MAybe not anymore....
Another...

hiwa · « **Reply #38 on:** February 26, 2015, 10:20:29 PM »

JB, what is the "wave " technique? Kindly explain please.

MnSportsman · « **Reply #39 on:** February 27, 2015, 04:13:31 AM »

Quote from: hiwa on February 26, 2015, 10:20:29 PM

JB, what is the "wave " technique? Kindly explain please.

I brought this here for ya, hiwa... rather than have to type it out:

Quote

Help/emergency: To signal distress on the water, you can either hold your paddle vertically and wave it back and forth; or do the same with a helmet, PFD, or a hand. If you have a whistle available, give "three long blasts" while waving to be sure you attract attention. The emergency signal, understandably, isn't set in stone, but as long as you signal with three whistle blasts and a wave you should be understood.

Pretty good descriptions for some of the other signals here:
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?110

hiwa · « **Reply #40 on:** February 27, 2015, 03:50:25 PM »

Thanks for the link JB. Good stuff to know .

Electric Cowboy · « **Reply #41 on:** February 27, 2015, 08:48:16 PM »

Storm Whistle.
VS-17 Panel Marker.
Glass Mirror.
Phone.
Fire steel.

Gryphon · « **Reply #42 on:** February 28, 2015, 08:33:44 AM »

I keep a hard drive platter and a whistle. hdd platters are breakable, yes...but pretty dang tough. highly polished, hole in the middle...and free!

News:

Author Topic: What signalling devices are in your pack right now? (Read 11953 times)