Procedure for signaling if you are lost. Methods of sending distress signals. Sending distress signals in the forest or mountains

Let's consider methods of sending distress signals, the implementation of which is possible without the presence of special technical means.

Signal fires

The simplest and affordable way signaling, which has been used since time immemorial to the present day. First of all, you need to choose a place convenient for fires, clearly visible both from the ground and from the air. Clearings and wide clearings are suitable for these purposes. It is better if the place chosen for fires is on a hill. We should not forget that this place should be close to the victims’ camp.

To attract the attention of rescuers, not one, but several fires are lit. It is customary to light three fires located on the same line or at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Such figures are international distress signals. Five fires forming the letter “T” indicate a place suitable for landing an airplane or helicopter. The distance between fires should be 30-50 m.

Methods for equipping signal fires

Preparing fires should be started as soon as the first steps necessary in an emergency situation have been completed. Every fire should have a reliable supply of kindling and wood stored away in case of bad weather. On heavily moist soil, place signal fires on log decks. To quickly and guarantee the lighting of signal fires, place guards around them to support the so-called small pilot fires. A fire ready to be lit and a sufficient supply of firewood is a guarantee of sending a reliable signal to rescuers who come out or fly out to help the victims.

Smoke signals

Most effective on clear and windless days. To increase the amount of smoke, you need to throw raw branches and grass (prepared in advance) into the fire. However, in winter and in inclement weather in summer, such smoke is hardly noticeable. At this time of year, black smoke is clearly visible. For this you can use rubber, plastic or car oil.

At night you need a bright fire made from dry wood. A pilot can see such a fire at a distance of up to 20 km. From the ground they are visible at a distance of up to 10 km.

If for some reason it was possible to light only one fire, it is recommended to periodically cover it with a piece of cloth or thick spruce branches. Such a pulsating fire attracts the attention of rescuers better than a constantly burning one.

Signal mirror

A good location detection effect is signal mirror- heliograph. The brightness of the light signal “bunny” of such a mirror at a sun angle of 90° reaches approximately 7 million candles. The flash of such a mirror is visible from an airplane flying at an altitude of 1-2 km from a distance of 20-25 km.

International code table

Signals are posted in places that are clearly visible from the air - in clearings, unforested hillsides. Recommended signal sizes are at least 10 m long, 3 m wide and 3 m between signs. To make signs, you can use any materials at your disposal. The main requirement is that they should stand out well on the earth's surface. Suitable items for posting signs include clothing, tents, sleeping bags, life jackets, etc.

If there is no equipment, a signal sign can be dug by removing the turf and laying it upside down next to the trench, increasing the width of the sign. A sign lined with spruce branches is clearly visible in the snow.

If the aircraft descends significantly, you can apply international aviation emergency gestural signs.

Responses from the aircraft may include the following:

• “I see you” - a turn in the horizontal plane (a circle above detected people) or a green rocket.
• “Wait for help on the spot, a helicopter will come for you” - a figure-of-eight flight in the horizontal plane or a red rocket.
• “Go in the indicated direction” - an airplane flying over the victims in distress in the direction of the flight path or a yellow flare.
• “Got you” - swinging from wing to wing or a white rocket. At night: Turn landing lights or navigation lights on and off twice. The absence of these signs indicates that the sign given from the ground is not accepted.
• “I didn’t understand you” - a snake flight or two red rockets.
• “Indicate the direction of landing and the landing site” - a dive followed by a turn or two green rockets.

Information signals

Used when it is necessary to leave a disaster zone or camp. In this case, you must always leave a clearly visible sign - an arrow indicating the direction in which the group left. It is also necessary to mark the route with some signs.

Options for supplying information signals:

• a - “The place where they passed”;
• b - “Turn left”;
• c - “Turn right”;
• g - “Careful, dangerous!”

For victims deprived of emergency signaling “tools,” another method of emergency signaling has been invented - the international code table.

The code table signals are laid out in open places that are clearly visible from the air - on hillsides, clearings. The size of one signal must be at least three meters, otherwise it will be difficult to understand from a great height. There are no restrictions in the other direction; the larger the signal, the higher the likelihood that it will be noticed.

What can a signal be made from? From almost everything: from sleeping bags laid out on the ground, a cut-up tent, spare clothes, life jackets, pieces of fabric secured with pegs driven into the ground or stones placed on top. From the wreckage of a vehicle, stones, spruce branches and tree branches. You can not lay out the signal, but, for example, dig it - remove the turf with a shovel or knife and deepen the resulting trench. In this case, the turf itself must be carefully laid along the trench on the grass, with the inner, dark side up. In the snow, the signal is “drawn” using ash from a burnt-out fire or trampled down by shoe heels. It is advisable to line the bottom of trampled trenches with spruce branches, branches, etc. dark material. In the desert, where there is no choice of building material, low banks of sand are piled up. This sign “works” twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, when the sun is low above the horizon. Thick shadows cast by artificial sand banks are quite clearly visible from the air.

In all cases, one must strive to ensure maximum contrast between the color signal and the background on which it is laid out. In other words, on light soil the signs should be as dark as possible, on dark soil - light.

Each character of the code table has one single meaning, known to the pilot of the search aircraft. There is no point in inventing your own signals, and if for some reason you have forgotten how this or that sign is deciphered, you can lay out a well-known one on the ground SOS signal.

In an emergency situation, you cannot limit yourself to installing one or two signals. The alarm must be varied and, so to speak, multi-stage, only then will it be effective. For example, having caught a glare from the signal mirror on the cockpit glass, the pilot will take a closer look and notice a geometric figure cut out in the bushes. Having descended, he will make out the signs of the code table and the smoke of the signal fire and, finally, examine the people themselves. By the way, the latter should make sure that they are clearly visible - wear bright, preferably orange, or in the desert white clothes, go out of the shade of trees into a sunny, open place, wave bright pieces of fabric over their heads, and at night - a torch or flashlight. The pilot, having noticed people, will definitely make a circle above them or swing the wings of the plane several times.

After the plane takes off, the victims need to prepare for evacuation - “restore” the burnt-out signal fires, pack their things, and, if possible, prepare a landing site for a rescue helicopter. The only thing they should not do is change their lifestyle - leave shelters, “finish off” the joys of NZ products, constantly hang out on the “street”, watching the sky. Help may not arrive very quickly. Rescue operations often last for hours, and in unfavorable weather for days or even weeks. The fact that the victims of the disaster were discovered does not change anything for them personally and cannot serve as a reason for breaking the emergency life established inside the camp. They, just as before, must keep watch, prepare firewood, collect edible plants, fish, hunt and do other work necessary to support life. Only they must do this even better than before, so that, after enduring many days of combat with the elements, they do not die an hour before salvation. And such cases, alas, have happened.

The landing site for a helicopter must be at least 35x35 meters in size and located horizontally or with a slight slope above the slope or on the top of the dome, from where the so-called airplane takeoff is possible, that is, with a running start. There are often downdrafts under the slopes, making landing difficult or impossible. The surface of the site must be sufficiently hard. The snow must be trampled down so that your feet do not fall through when walking. There should be no obstacles in the planting area - trees, stones, vertically protruding objects. All light items, as well as tents, must be secured with pegs driven into the ground and stones. It is advisable for a helicopter pilot to indicate the direction of the wind using a homemade flag, a signal cartridge, smoke from a fire, or a piece of fabric. The signalman must always stand with his back to the wind. You can approach a landed helicopter only at the command of the pilot or after the main and tail rotors have completely stopped, and only from the front within the pilot’s visibility.

There is a special international gesture signal for communicating with helicopter pilots.

• 1. “The signalman is here!” - arms up, palms inward.
• 2. "Yes" or "Landing here! We need help!" - arms up, palms in, legs together.
• 3. "No" or "Landing is impossible! We don't need help!" - left hand up, legs together.
• 4. “Straight” - arms raised, elbows bent, palms back. Legs

at shoulder width. Swing your forearms back.

• 5. “Back” - raise your arms forward to shoulder level. Palms forward.
• 6. “Stop! Stop the engine” - quickly crossing your arms

corresponds to the degree of need to stop.

7. "Everything is clear!" ("O"K!" sign) - right hand forward in a fist,

thumbs up.

• 8. "Hover!" - arms to the sides, palms down.
• 9. “Lower” - swinging down with straight arms, palms down.
• 10. “Higher” - swinging upward with straight arms, palms up.
• 11. “Landing” - cross your arms in front of you at the bottom.

If the victims, for one reason or another, decide, without waiting for the help of rescue teams, to get out to the people on their own, then the place where the accident occurred must be marked using the methods described above, and in the direction of movement it is imperative to place a sign clearly visible from the air from the international code table.

At the same time, on the ground, in a visible place, a far visible tower is built from stones, a piece of ice, or logs. Several one and a half to two meter sticks are fixed on its top, to which bright scraps of fabric, foil, and tin cans are tied. Under the tour or next to it, in a container protected from the weather - in a bottle with a candle neck filled with stearin, a triple polyethylene bag, a rubber balloon, etc. - a note is left indicating: the full data of the victims of the accident (surnames, first names, home and work addresses), briefly describes the accident, lists the property and equipment at the group’s disposal (food, water, signaling equipment, weapons, clothing, etc.), and justifies the chosen direction of movement. The year, date and time when the note was left must be indicated. At the base of the tour, several pointer arrows are laid out from stones or thick branches, pointed in the direction of the intended direction of movement.

All unnecessary items are left near the tour in a visible place. Cargo for the journey, in addition to the obligatory means of signaling and orientation, weapons, polyethylene (with which you can perfectly protect yourself from precipitation, wind, cold, and get water in the desert), should be taken based on the specific climatic and geographical conditions of the route, but not forgetting A wise rule is to hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

As you move, you need to mark your route as often as possible - break off branches, make cuts on tree trunks, put unnecessary things in conspicuous places, etc. In difficult terrain, tags must be located within direct detection range - one tag must be visible from another. In places where the direction of movement changes, two or three “large” marks should be placed - a large edging on a tree trunk, a tour, strips of bright material attached to tree branches, and an arrow indicating the direction of movement should be placed next to the mark. Once a day, it is necessary to leave notes in clearly visible places, protected from bad weather, indicating your route and other important information for rescuers and the date the note was left. Remember, frequently placed tags make it easier to find a missing group.

Emergency signaling is not as simple as it might seem after reading this section. There is always a possibility that the signal you send will not be noticed by anyone except yourself. This is especially true in cases where victims are not specifically sought.

Hope for help from the “mainland” is a good thing, but you must always be prepared for self-rescue - to go to the nearest populated area.

International signal code table

The code table signals are laid out in open places that are clearly visible from the air - on hillsides, clearings. Different sources indicate different recommended signal sizes, depending on the tastes and departmental preferences of the authors. Therefore it is better to stop at international standard: 10 m long, 3 m wide and 3 m between signs. But in any case, no less than 2.5 m. Otherwise, the sign will be difficult to make out from a great height. There are no upward restrictions - the more significant the signal, the higher the likelihood that it will be noticed.

The signal is made from spare clothes laid out on the ground, pieces of fabric secured with pegs driven into the ground or stones placed on top. From the wreckage of a vehicle, stones, spruce branches and tree branches. On the seashore - from pebbles or seaweed thrown out by the surf. The signal can be dug out by removing the turf with a shovel or knife and deepening the resulting trench (in this case, the turf itself can be carefully laid along the trench on the grass with the inner, dark side up, which will double its width). In the snow, the signal is “drawn” using ash from a burnt-out fire or trampled down by shoe heels. It is advisable to line the bottom of trampled trenches with spruce branches, branches, etc. dark material.

In all cases, we must strive to ensure maximum contrast between color signal and background, on which it is laid out. In other words, on light soil the signs should be as dark as possible, on dark soil - light.

There is a special system for communicating with pilots - international aviation emergency gesture signaling.

1. Please take me on board.
2. Technical assistance required.
3. It is convenient to land here.
4. Everything is fine.
5. I understand, I’m doing it.
6. I have a radio station.
7. It's dangerous to land here.
8. I can’t move, I need medical attention.
9. Ready to accept a pennant, a written message.
10. No.

In addition to special ones, there are simplified distress signals, which rescuers from almost all departments are aware of to one degree or another.

For example, universal in all respects SOS signal, or any other light or sound signal, repeated three times in a row at short intervals. It doesn’t matter what it will be - three lights, three columns of smoke, three loud whistles, three shots, three light flashes, etc. - as long as the signal is triple.

There should be a one-minute pause between each group of signals. Three light or noise signals - a minute of rest - and again three signals.

International distress signal received in the mountains, looks different: six whistles, light flashes or hand waves per minute, then a minute pause and repeat the signal.

All tourists, and not only, may be unlucky at least once: they fall behind the group, get lost in the forest, go astray, get injured and are unable to move independently. Therefore, each of you would do well to know the generally accepted distress signals that will help you attract attention in an emergency or even recognize these signals and help others.

Types of distress signals:

- Visual in open areas: reflection of the sun from a shiny surface - a “sunny spot” can be reflected from a mirror, foil, candy wrapper, tin can, etc. Flashlight light (at night), camera flash, fire from a fire (at night), smoke from a fire (during the day), a flare, signs made of branches or stones laid out on the ground, bright things or bags hung on trees.

- Visual on the water: different dyes that color water.

- Sound: whistle (better if there is a whistle), shots from a firearm or signal weapon, shouting, etc.

- Radio signals: radio station (walkie-talkie), mobile phone, direction finder, etc.

There are universal distress signals. For mountains this is a 6-1 type signal, that is, 6 short signals in a row, then a long pause. Signals are given by any means, for example, 6 short whistles, a pause, or 6 short flashes of a flashlight, a pause, etc.

In other conditions (not in the mountains), a signal of type 3-1 is used (three short ones - a pause).

In order for your signal to be recognized as a distress signal, it must be triple- be it three flashes of a lantern, three whistles, three fires. If the signals are dynamic (whistle, flashlight, etc.), you need to pause for a minute between them, and then repeat them again.

Signal fires you need to kindle in the form of some figures, and not at random, and the distance between them should be about 30-50 meters. The international distress signal will recognize bonfires laid out three in one line, or forming regular triangle. At the same time, 5 fires in the shape of the letter T will indicate a safe place to land.

For visual signals posted on the ground, there are special signs shown in the table below. Signs are made from available materials (branches, stones, things, etc.). Their size must be large enough to be clearly visible from the air.

There are also special signals that pilots show with their hands to rescuers (it is advisable to have bright things in your hands that are clearly visible from the air):

1) Please take me on board
2) Technical assistance required
3) It’s comfortable to sit here
4) Everything is fine
5) I understand you, I comply
6) I have a radio station
7) It’s dangerous to land here
8) I can’t move. Medical assistance required.
9) Ready to accept the pennant, message.
10) Yes
11) No.

International signals - These are generally recognized signals of a request for help. Distress signals are needed to inform people or vehicle(most often they are transmitted by ships) help is required or danger is in danger. A distress signal, as already written above, can be an audio, radio, pyrotechnic, light or smoke signal. Here are some of them:

- SOS(...---...) using Morse code it is transmitted as follows: 3 dots, 3 dashes, 3 dots (three long signals - pause - three short - pause - three long). From the English “Save Our Souls”. These letters were generally recognized due to the rather easy sequence

- CQD (-.-.--.--..) Translated from English, “Come immediately, danger (Come Quickly, Danger!).” Its official meaning is “All posts, alarm!

International radio signals look like this:

- Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! (Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!) Repeated three times. Translated from French as ( m"aidez)- help. It is used in cases of serious danger.

- Pan-pan, Pan-pan, Pan-pan (Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan) Repeated three times. Translated from French as ( panne)- breakdown. Use it for less serious danger than Mayday!

International maritime distress signals:

If you yourself saw a signal for help, then you need to do everything in your power to help people in trouble. The most experienced members of your group should be sent to the disaster site, since random and thoughtless actions of the inexperienced can lead to an increase in the number of people who need help. The remaining members of the group must prepare an “emergency” camp: put up tents, light a fire, boil water, prepare the available first aid kits and set up distress signals around the camp.

REMEMBER! A signal for help should be given ONLY in a hopeless situation, if there is a real threat to the life or health of people!!!

It is important to know the distress signals to send if you are lost in the forest.

International distress signals if lost in the forest

In order not to remain idle in a situation where you are lost in the forest, there are certain distress signals. Distress signals should be issued as quickly and as noticeably as possible so that they can be seen from a long distance, and preferably from a height if a helicopter flies out after you.

• Three smoke columns or fires are recognized as an international distress signal!
• If you have flares, firecrackers or a transmitter, use them!
• Inspect your belongings for a mirror, a flashlight, a whistle, a bright sweater, all this will help you signal your situation. Let the sunbeams in or flash a flashlight, depending on the time of day.

An excellent way to make you more visible during the day is smoke; light a fire and keep it away from the wind; to give the smoke color, add dry grass, rubber, or wet wood.

Always be ready to signal your presence and don't stray too far from materials that can help you do this.

If a helicopter searches for you from the air, lay out requests for help on the ground with branches, stones, surrounding debris, leaves, and dry grass. We can also spread out an international SOS word for help in an open forest clearing from flammable components, such as leaves, and set it on fire if we suddenly notice a vehicle flying in the sky.

Sending distress signals in the forest or mountains

Sending a distress signal can occur in several ways:

• signal fires;
• light signals;
• noise;
• displaying SOS on the ground through various possible means.

SOS signal

You need to make such fires not too large, they are more difficult to maintain, it is better to light several small fires. In the rain, it is more difficult to find material for lighting than during the day, but it may be worth looking under fallen trees and stacks of dead wood.

It is best to provide light and noise signals. It is important to understand that they must be clear, sharp and easily visible. Give signals at a certain periodicity in time to all possible ways: Shout, knock, shine a flashlight, light a fire, wave your brightest item of clothing, and launch the flare guns you have. It is advisable to do the latter if you heard or saw traces of people.

How to call for help in the forest

You may also find information about how to navigate the area useful. If you are lost in the forest, calm down and call for help. First of all, dial 112; you can do this even without having money on your phone. Before doing this, inspect the area and choose a landmark to better describe your location to rescuers. It is desirable that it be a river, a railway, etc. After the rescuers leave, stay in place and wait for help; movement is dangerous because you will get even more lost and change your location, which you have already described to the rescuers!