The Misunderstood Lifesaver!
Of all the signaling devices that are used in this age of air assisted rescue, two-way radios, personal radio beacons, and GPS technology 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, it is not included in your gear list or even if it is its practical use and potential life saving benefits are misunderstood.
You should have a signal mirror in your pack or on your person anytime that you venture into the deep woods, mountains, out onto the waters, or any 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.
What Materials To Use
You can use any high quality hand mirror as a signal mirror. Our Troop uses plate glass mirror material that been cut into 2"x3" rectangles by local glass shops. The edges are smoothed to prevent cuts. Our Scouts carry them in an old (and hopefully clean!) sock to protect them in their packs.
Several styles of commercially produced signal mirrors are available, though they can be a bit pricey – starting at about $10 for copies of the original mil-spec mirrors and going up to over $30 for the highest quality hand made glass mirrors. They can offer more features, like attached lanyards, sighting grids, specialized reflective coatings, true waterproof construction, floating cases and the like though they all perform the same function – reflecting light to a target.
If you are considering a commercially produced mirror, take a look at the original glass design with the sighting grid. For the money (~$10 and up), they provide more than acceptable performance. Be sure instructions are printed on the back of the mirror and that an attached lanyard hole is provided. Several firms produce high quality plastic mirrors with sighting grids that offer even better performance than their glass competitors. They offer the advantage of being more impact resistant though they are more expensive and are not nearly as compact a package!
Another polycarbonate mirror is being marketed by several companies with red tinted polycarbonate on one side and a normal mirror on the other. These mirrors come with a protective pouch, but there are no instructions on the mirror or pouch, only on a separate paper sheet included in the packaging materials, a serious failing in the view of some experts.
The manufacturers claim the red side can be used at night with a flashlight beam reflected into it to create a "red flare" that is more visible at night. Independent testing reportedly doesn't support that claim. The reflected red light is considerably dimmer and less visible than the flashlight itself used as a signal, and is more difficult to aim. While a red signal might possible stand out against other lights or the moonlight reflected off the water's surface, that isn't generally the situation for a pilot and the relative dimness really works against it. As a conventional signal mirror, disregarding the red side, the lack of a sighting grid is a serious disadvantage compared to a true signal mirror. All in all, this style of mirror is not a very practical survival mirror compared with the other commercially available designs.
The standard mirror does not float, though some models will float if sealed in its pouch. Buoyant models are available that have additional closed cell foam added to the back so they will float, but it does make them twice as thick, 5/8 in. as opposed to 5/16 in.
If you find yourself without a signal mirror in a survival situation, improvise with a can lid that you polish up, use your polished knife blade, or your reflective 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). CD’s can also make an inexpensive, lightweight and shatter proof mirror, though some experts report that the reflected light signal is reduced by 25%-50%! BE PREPARED TO HELP MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF YOUR LOCATION BY USING WHAT’S AVAILABLE!
Using a Signal Mirror
Few people realize how far mirror flashes will carry. A mirror’s flash can be seen for miles. In optimum conditions with a high quality mirror, the flash can be seen for 10 miles, or more. 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 cannot see an airplane, vehicle, boat or hiker. Sweep the horizon (most rescue sightings are from the air or from distant high vantages), known trails and roads or jet vapor trails 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, Forest Service lookouts, roads, trails and even distant buildings - take a compass fix on it and aim your mirror in that direction. Remember, just because you can’t see your target doesn’t mean your rescuers can’t see your signal! In all cases, PERSEVERE, keep at it and don't give up.
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.
Remember, signals in sets of three are universally recognized as a distress message (the Morse code for SOS is 3 long – 3 short – 3 long signals!).
The most useful commercially available mirrors provide a sighting grid that uses an inner glass or polycarbonate layer with etched lines and small metalized beads to create a reflection of your light source (usually the sun) that can be used to sight the mirror.
These mirrors have been historically made from glass though high quality plastic designs are now available. All usually have a lanyard hole in one corner. The instructions for using these mirrors are usually printed on the back for quick reference. The instructions for one popular model read;
1. "Reflect sunlight on nearby surface."
2. "Look at reflected spot through sight hole. See glow in grid."
3. "Slowly move mirror to aim glow at target."
4. "Sweep horizon slowly as flashes can be seen for miles even on hazy days."
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.
S.O.S.
Safety Outdoor Signaling
There are some situations that could occur in the Outdoors that may require you to signal for medical assistance or rescue by using Morse Code. Everyone who ventures into the Outdoors should be at the least familiar with S.O.S. (•••- - - •••). This can be constructed as a ground to air signal with rocks (•) and logs ( - ), by stamping out the symbols in the snow, by using backpacks (•) and sleeping bags ( - ) , by using brightly colored extra clothing you have or reflective emergency blankets or all weather blankets folded to shape, or by covering up parts with dirt, brush or snow to simulate the (••• - - - •••). The most direct method if you can visually see an airplane or vehicle in the distance would be to carefully flash the message out on a signal mirror or flashlight (3 short flashes•••, 3 long flashes - - -and 3 short flashes•••). Be sure to pause between signal flashes to allow for recognition and understanding. S.O.S. is internationally recognized by all pilots, park rangers, and rescue personnel. This vital signal should be deeply ingrained in the memory of all Outdoors enthusiasts. Someday you may have to use it for your own survival needs, or so that you can quickly recognize the distress signal of someone who may need your immediate assistance. As with all Outdoor Safety Skills remember the "7 P's", Proper Preparation, Planning and Practice Prevents Potential Problems.
MORSE CODE
Something You May Someday Need
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This page revised January 15, 2007