International emergency signs. The helicopter is in a hurry to help. How to send an SOS signal to aircraft

A distress signal is a message asking for help, sent using information, light, gestures and other embodiments from victims. If you find yourself in an extreme situation, you need to find a way to escape as soon as possible, and to do this you need to give a noticeable sign so that other people from the air, land or water can notice it. When it comes to survival, it doesn’t matter where help comes from, the main thing is to give a clear sign that it is needed, especially if the person needs medical help.

Depending on the method of presentation, the means used, and the focus on the object, there are the following types of distress signals:

Light. This type includes distress signals sent using objects that reflect light or illuminate the area.
Smoke
Gesturing: used to provide signs that will be noticed by helicopter pilots during a significant descent.
Informational: used when it is necessary to indicate the need to leave the disaster site (camp) with directions.
Visual on water: dyes are used to color the water.
Sound: whistle, shouts, shots from weapons, firecrackers.
Radio signals using direction finders, mobile phones, radio stations.

Distress Signaling

Submitting distress signals using special means

When planning a dangerous trip where there is a possible risk of disaster, you should always prepare an emergency kit of special technical equipment in case of its occurrence. This includes:

flare
Signal buoy
Whistle
Mirror (heliograph)
Direction finder or radio station
Travel waterproof matches
False fires
Lantern stick

Distress signal - rocket

If you have a radio with you, it usually only works on level ground. Signal flares are convenient for signaling distress in forests, mountains, and also in poor visibility in certain weather conditions. To give sound signals over long distances, especially in areas with scattering sound, a regular whistle helps. A signal buoy and a sea marker will be needed if you get into trouble on the water. The marker colors the water surface with a rich green or orange color, which helps to notice the signal from above. A plastic flashlight stick illuminates the space for about 10 hours, but it will only help you notice yourself at a short distance. A special mirror, a heliograph, is used to reflect the sun's rays. The brightness of the light sign when the beam is reflected at 90 degrees reaches the visibility of rescuers from a helicopter flying at an altitude of 1-2 km from a distance of 20-25 km.

How to send a distress signal without using special means

When in distress in the wild, items designed to directly signal for help are not always at hand. In such a situation, you need to know how to send a distress signal using available materials to create signs.

Sending distress signals using a mirror. When you don’t have a heliograph at hand, you can use any object with a good reflective surface - a lady’s mirror, foil, a tin can, a watch. This method is only effective in good weather. By reflecting the sun's rays, you can create intermittent sun glare or Morse code characters.
Signal fires. The location for creating the sign should be visible both from the ground and from the air; preferably, it should be in a field or on a hill, and not far from the camp of the victims. To attract attention, several fires are lit, which are located at a distance of 30 or 50 meters from each other in one straight line or in the shape of a triangle. These figures are among the international distress signals. If you lay out the letter “T” with fires, this place will mean a landing place for a helicopter or airplane. At night, you can use one fire made of dry wood, from time to time cover it with a piece of cloth or large branches so that it appears to flicker. Such a fire is visible from a distance of 10 km from the ground and attracts more attention than one that burns for a long time.
If there is no wind, smoke signals can be used. To do this, a fire is built and raw wood or grass is thrown into it. In bad weather and in winter, such smoke is hardly noticeable, so at this time it is better to add rubber, oil or plastic to the fire. This will produce black smoke that will be much more noticeable.

International distress codes

There are generally accepted distress signs that are understood internationally. Knowing these signs, rescuers from any country speaking any language will be able to understand them and help the victims. These include hand-signed international distress signals, as well as codes that the distress signal table includes. Signs should be clearly visible, which means they should be located on hills and clearings. The dimensions of signal symbols must be at least 10 meters long, 3 meters wide and the distance between signs must be at least 3 meters. To lay out symbols, you can use anything that will be noticeable on the surface of the earth: clothes, life jackets, tents, etc. They can also be dug by removing turf, which can be laid nearby, increasing the width of the characters. In winter, signs can be laid out in the snow with spruce branches. There is a special table of distress signals, in which the codes are deciphered using graphic symbols.

If you find yourself in an extreme situation, all the instructions unanimously state that you cannot leave the place in which the person finds yourself, and the need to show signs of distress. Since there are various extreme situations, the number of existing SOS signals is very large.

You should know that if you find yourself in a difficult situation, be it a building collapse, an avalanche, a hurricane, a landslide, etc., it is not recommended to leave the place of confinement or the area on your own. If there is a chance to get help, immediately after analyzing the situation, you should start showing signs of distress.

Special means for sending distress signals

Transceiver – with its help you can send and receive signals.
Beacon – sends signals to the emergency frequency.
Radio station – can receive or transmit a signal over several kilometers (depending on the power and terrain: the signal travels farthest over the sea surface and over the plain, least of all in the mountains).
Mirror – they can produce glare and sun “beams”, which are noticeable at a very long distance.
Flashlight, lighter or any light source – used to give a distress signal; signals can be given in Morse code.
Marine marker - a special substance that, upon contact with water, colors it brightly.
flare – is visible at a very long distance, as it explodes at a height, which is extremely important if people are in an emergency in a mountainous area.
Signal torch – gives light bright enough to be noticed from a great distance.
Whistle – emits a sound signal that can be heard at a sufficient distance (the effect is enhanced in a confined space).

If a person finds himself in an emergency situation without these devices, then he can give signs of distress in other ways.

Submitting distress signals without special means

If you do not have the necessary equipment, you can always resort to improvised means. Thinking outside the box is especially important here, but there is a “backbone” of certain recommendations, so it’s worth considering time-tested options.

Fire distress signals

Such signals should be given either in the evening at dusk or at night. To do this, you need to build a large fire from dry branches or set fire to a tall tree. Such a signal from a great distance will be visible long enough to be detected. The process of arson can be made easier if you find a trunk with a hollow. The main thing to remember is that you should choose a lonely tree so as not to start a fire.

Smoke signals of distress

Smoke signals are most effective from morning until evening. Smog can rise very high and is therefore noticeable from above. It is worth remembering that the desired color of smoke should stand out from the environment as much as possible. For example, on a clear day, black smoke (tires, rubber) is more visible, in the evening - white (green leaves, moss and damp logs).

Distress lights

Even if you don’t have a mirror at hand, you can use any polished surface (glass, metal). In clear weather, a sunny “bunny” can be seen 60 km away in normal terrain, and in the desert – 160 km away. It is important to remember that the light cannot be directed into the cockpit of a car or helicopter for more than 2-3 seconds, otherwise there is a risk of blinding the driver/pilot.

Shadow distress signals

With proper skill, such signs can be quite effective - they are used mainly in remote areas. The advantage is that the method is self-sufficient - a conscientiously constructed structure will no longer take up the creator’s time. The stronger and more noticeable it is, the better, the main thing is to choose the most open place.

SOS signals to aircraft

When giving distress signals to aircraft, you need to imagine what it will look like from the air. It is necessary to take into account factors affecting the effectiveness of the signal:

volume and size;
proportions (especially important when laying out letters);
right angles and broken lines (rarely found in nature);
contrast;
lining with stones or soil (will add a shadow signal effect);
location (maximum visibility from all sides);
meaning (the distress signal must be intuitive).

It makes sense for a suddenly appearing helicopter or low-flying aircraft to give distress signals with your hands. If the pilot understands the gestures, he will swing the wing or turn on the green lights. If the pilot does not understand the meaning of the signs, then most likely he will go into the second circle.

International maritime distress signs

A storm, storm or emergency can put the lives of the ship's crew at risk if they are not provided with outside support. To do this, it is vital to transmit a signal for help that can attract the attention of coastal services or passing ships. These are:

orange smoke bomb;
an open source of flame on a ship;
raising and lowering arms extended to the sides;
red fire flare;
flag of the international code of signals November Charlie (NC);
the national flag turned upside down;
a square flag with a ball at the bottom or top;
continuous sound of fog signal equipment;
red parachute rocket.

Distress Gesture Chart

Your chances of survival increase if you know how to send distress signals to rescuers. For example, rescue signals must be given to a passing helicopter or low-flying aircraft. If the pilot notices and understands your signal, he must swing his wing or signal with green lights. If the pilot did not understand your signals, but noticed you, then perhaps he will go around.

Distress Signaling

Hand distress signals (gestures)

Gestural rescue signals are visible to low-flying airplanes and helicopters, as well as ships passing closely. For greater visibility from the air, it is better to build rescue signals on the ground of sufficient size. These can be marks in the sand, in the snow, bright, cut scraps from a parachute, bright fabric, etc. Below are the rescue signals given by pilots during an airplane crash.

International Table of Ground Distress Signals.

Decoding distress signals:

1 - need a doctor

2 - medications are needed

4 - Water and food needed

5 - Need weapons and ammunition

6 - Map and compass required

7 - Need a warning light and batteries

8 - Point the direction to salvation

9 - We are moving in this direction

10 - Trying to take off

11 - The plane is damaged

12 - It's a safe landing here

13 - Need oil and food

14 - Everything is normal

17 - I don’t understand

18 - Engineer needed

19 - we found all the people

20 - The ship is damaged

You can also use a fire with smoke, signal flares, lanterns, a signal mirror, and a whistle to give rescue signals.

Three fires lit in the shape of a triangle are a distress signal according to international standards. Alternatively, the fires can be placed in one line at a distance of approximately 25 m from each other. Prepare three fires, but light one and light the other two as needed. This will allow you to keep one fire burning while waiting for help, rather than three at once. After all, you may have to wait quite a long time.

Light signals are given at a frequency of 6 flashes per minute, i.e. once every 10 seconds, then a minute of waiting, and then 6 signals.

Sound signals are given similarly to light signals - 6 signals per minute.

If you or the group have a radio transmitter at your disposal, then you have the ability to transmit a distress signal. The message is sent in the following sequence:

International distress signal - "Mayday, Mayday"

Call sign, if available

Location

Number of people in the group

Landing coordinates

Request medical assistance if necessary

As an option, you can transmit signals for help in Morse code. The range of such signals is an order of magnitude higher. In a separate article we will take a closer look at the rules for radio communication and sending distress signals via radio.

Code table

For victims deprived of an emergency signal “toolkit,” another method of emergency signaling has been invented - an international 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 focus on the 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.

For example, with my own eyes on one of my trips I was able to observe a sign with side dimensions much greater than one hundred (!) meters. True, it was not a sign of disaster, but rather a symbol of human stupidity. Someone was not too lazy and tore off the slope of a hill rising above the surrounding area in order to immortalize one very short but meaningful Russian word, which I cannot quote here for censorship reasons.

Local pilots, not without pride, claimed that this titanic structure of lovers of Russian literature is used to guide planes to their home airport and can easily be read even from space! So the content is content, and the example that the more the better is very clear.

What can a signal be made 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. On the seashore - from pebbles or seaweed thrown out by the surf.
You can not lay out the signal, but, for example, dig it out, for which you 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, 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. Just when trampling trenches in the snow, you don’t need to trample next to them, so that instead of a clearly readable signal sign, you don’t get a meaningless pattern of dozens of paths and paths going in different directions. You should approach the construction site only from one side and only along one pre-marked path.

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.

In the desert, where there is no choice of building materials, 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. But it’s even better to hang panels of fabric or even thick paper on stakes driven into the sand. The fabric itself can be any color, even yellow, because the signal will be drawn not by the panels, but by the shadow they cast. In the absence of fabric, you can try to construct a similar shadow signal from plants tied into long ropes and stretched between stakes a meter from the ground.

Each character of the code table has a 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 the well-known SOS signal on the ground.

I doubted for a long time whether it was worth telling the reader about another method of alarm signaling. On the one hand, it is ridiculously simple and therefore accessible to every person, does not require any additional technical devices, and is effective - all these significant advantages. On the other hand, it causes objective damage to the surrounding nature - a very serious minus in modern times. How can people, being carried away, begin to use it, where it is necessary and where it is not necessary? But then I thought that it was better than a “signal” fire.

In addition, this method is labor-intensive enough that a person takes it up only out of boredom or for pranks. The essence of this signaling method is that victims try to change the natural appearance of the surrounding area by all means available to them. They burn and trample large geometric figures on the ground, and cut down artificial clearings in the dense forest.

Of course, it is more convenient not to fell large trees, such work is too labor-intensive, but, for example, to trim low bushes on the edges of a forest or the banks of a reservoir. The size of the sign (circle, triangle, etc.) should be 20 m or more, the width of the strip should be 3 - 4 m. Up close, such a sign is almost invisible, but from a height of several hundred meters it immediately catches the eye.

In general, it should be noted that 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 inspect the area more carefully and notice a geometric figure carved into 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 must make sure that they are clearly visible - put on bright, preferably orange, or in the steppe white clothes, go out of the shade of the trees into a sunny, open place, wave bright pieces of fabric over their heads, and at night - a torch or flashlight.

But it’s even better if those affected by disaster know international aviation emergency gesture signaling, used to transmit information by pilots of search and rescue aircraft and helicopters.

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

Another form of signaling is used for the same purpose.
Only it’s no longer international, but ours, domestic, adopted by the Air Force.

It is impossible to say in advance with whom the victims will have to communicate in the conditions of an accident - with our or not our aviators and which of them adheres to which gesture system, so it is better, just in case, to know both:

1. “An incident has occurred, there are victims” - a person lying on the ground, or a circle of fabric (an extended parachute), in the middle of which is the figure of a lying person.

2. “We need food, warm clothing” - a person sitting on the ground, or a triangle made of fabric.

3. “Show me which direction to go” - a person with his arms raised and slightly spread to the sides, or a thin, long triangle of fabric in the shape of an arrow.

4. “Here you can land” - a person in a shallow squat with his arms extended forward, or a square of fabric.

5. “Land in the direction indicated” - a standing person with his arms extended forward in the direction of the approach or a landing “T” made of fabric.

6. “You can’t sit here” - a standing person with his arms crossed above his head or a cloth cross.

! ! ! 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 SOS signal in all respects, 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 a little different: six whistles, light flashes or hand waves per minute, then a minute pause and repeat the signal.

If while traveling you notice someone else's distress signal, take all measures to provide assistance. First of all, fix the location of the signal - take a bearing using a compass, note landmarks in the indicated direction. If the victims are in a hard-to-reach place, several of the most experienced travelers should come to their aid. It is unacceptable to send a rescue team lightly - without a tent, warm clothes, food.

Retreating rescuers must be completely autonomous, even if those in distress are several hundred meters away. Those remaining (insurance group) must immediately begin setting up the emergency camp - pitch tents, build shelters, make fires, boil water, install signs around the camp and in the direction of the rescue group's movement, and organize intermediate camps.

If possible, you must immediately notify the rescue services and authorities about the incident and then act in accordance with their instructions. When working as full-time rescuers, independent actions not coordinated with them are unacceptable. You can continue the route only with the permission of the relevant services after the end of the rescue operation.

In the event that victims of disaster decide, without waiting for the help of rescue teams, to get out to people on their own, they must mark the place where the accident occurred using the methods described above, and in the direction of movement they must place a sign clearly visible from the air - an arrow from the international code table.

At the same time, on the ground in a visible place, a far visible tower is built from stones, pieces of ice, and logs. Several 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 neck filled with stearin, in 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 what happened, 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 (except for 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 the wise rule : "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 notches on tree trunks, put unnecessary things in conspicuous places, etc. In difficult terrain, tags should be located within direct detection range - one tag can be seen from another. In places where the direction of movement changes, 2-3 large marks should be placed - a large strip on a tree trunk, a tour, strips of bright material attached to tree branches.

Place an arrow next to the mark indicating the direction of movement. 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.

For the same purpose, especially in winter, it is advisable to make your way through open spaces, remembering that search planes and helicopters will first of all inspect the edges, clearings, clearings, beds of frozen rivers, on the surface of which traces are much more visible than in dense forest. To make their task easier, in open sections of the route one should try to leave as many traces as possible, for example, by walking not one after another, but in a deployed front. It makes sense to leave as many traces as possible on the surface of linear landmarks that can be viewed from the air: in the middle of wide clearings, on the snow-covered ice of reservoirs. It is these that the aviators will inspect most carefully.

For the same reasons, when moving along a river or crossing water obstacles, you should choose places with open, wide sandy beaches, where traces remain for quite a long time and are clearly visible from the air.

In conclusion, I want to slightly... disappoint the reader. Emergency signaling is not as simple as it might seem after reading this chapter. 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.

Once at sea we tried to attract the attention of a small ship passing 10 - 12 cables away from us. We shouted, raised and lowered the sails, blew the boatswain's whistle, remembering that a whistle can be heard twice as far as a scream, and beat the bottom of an empty pan with a spoon. Finally, they lit the signal cartridge and at the same time “hung” a rocket over the deck of the ship. And what? But nothing - the ship continued on its course. Apparently, the helmsman buried his nose in the compass card, not wanting to see anything on the sides, and his ears were “blocked” by the roar of a diesel engine coming from the engine room.

Moreover, once in exactly the same way, we, without meaning to, “slipped” under the very noses of patrol ships and planes into the training zone for firing sky-to-ground missiles and sailed right under the side of floating targets! On the day and even at the hour of teaching! And no one noticed us again! But we tried to give signals even then. Including smoke ones. Nobody saw us! Although seeing and not allowing strangers into the secret zone is the direct responsibility of careless guards.

That’s when we realized: rely on emergency signaling devices, but don’t make a mistake yourself.

The last piece of advice is less about alarm technology and more about human ethics.

Any rescue operation distracts a large number of people from their main work, putting their lives at increased risk, in addition to large financial costs. Therefore, before you decide to send a distress signal, you need to think seven times! Any distress signal should be used only in a truly critical situation that directly threatens the life or health of people! Several tens of kilometers that have to be covered, worn out legs or non-compliance with the deadlines of the trip, not to mention such mercantile reasons as the fear of being late from vacation, missing airline tickets, etc., are not a reason to send an emergency signal and launch large-scale rescue operations.

For the same purpose, after the successful completion of the accident, all emergency signals should be removed or, if this is not possible, the local authorities, rescue services, and aviators should be notified that in the specified areas the signals (specify which ones) are “inoperative.” Unfortunately, there are cases where travelers have been home for many days, and rescue teams, raised by alarm, continued to comb the area in search of victims.

In addition to the "external" emergency, It is useful to develop in advance and use an internal alarm at the time of an accident. Some of the possibilities of sound, light, and gesture signals are shown in the figure. The signal is given at the frequency of Morse code signals using a whistle, shout, lantern, torch or using a “hand semaphore”. The interval between signals is 4 - 5s - three dashes.

1. Two hands up, or continuous long signals (dash) - “I require attention. Watch me.”
2. One hand up, or one short signal (dot) - “I need help from one or two people.”
3. Stand sideways, hand in front of you, thumb up, or one long signal (dash) - “I’m fine.”
4. Two hands to the sides or two long signals (dash) - “Do nothing. I act independently.”
5. Hand to the side or two short signals - “Come to me.”
6. Frequent waving of raised arms or continuous short signals - "Emergency. Immediate assistance required."
7. One hand up, the other to the side, or alternating short and long signals - “Look around (listen) in the direction I indicated. Take the azimuth.”

Attention Signals:

1. Orange smoke PSND, smoke bombs;
2. Crimson fire of PSND, flares, torch-candles, smoke bombs;
3. Stars and flashes of rockets, mortar cartridges, tracer bullets;
4. Glare of signal mirrors;
5. Signs and signals on the ground;
6. Orange color spots on the water;
7. Light and smoke from fires;
8. Bright clothes;
9. Glare of homemade mirrors, foil;
10. Beacons and radio stations;
11. Sound signals;
12. Light signals in Morse code;
13. Signal flags;
14. Signal tours;
15. Balloons and kites;
16. Notches and other improvised marks.

The helicopter comes to the rescue

Signal mirror

The signal mirror as a means of signaling is used only in sunny weather. The efficiency of its use is quite high. So, at a sun angle of 130°, the brightness of the light “bunny” is 4 million candles, and at an angle of 90° it increases to 7 million candles. The flash of a solar “bunny” can be detected much earlier than any other signal sent from the surface of the earth during the daytime in sunny weather. From an airplane flying at an altitude of 1–1.5 km, such a flash is detected at a distance of up to 24 km. It was the solar “bunny” of the signal mirror, made by Cecioni (a mechanic of the airship “Italy”, which crashed in the Central Arctic in the spring of 1928) from a wooden plank covered with staniol from under a chocolate bar, that turned out to be the only signal that was noticed by the commander of the Italian rescue plane .
The signal mirror can be either glass or metal, preferably with sides of 10–12 cm, with a small hole in the center.
The glass mirror should be double-sided, and the metal mirror should have well-polished plate surfaces on both sides. When an aircraft (helicopter or plane) appears, you need to stand against the sun and look through the hole at the flying helicopter (plane), holding the mirror at a short distance in front of you in a bent hand. The tourist will see a reflection of his face on the surface of the mirror and a light spot on it from the hole in the mirror. In order for the sun's rays reflected from the mirror to be directed at the helicopter or plane, the mirror should be rotated or tilted until the light spot aligns with the central hole. The bright shiny surface of a mirror or metal plate, when shaken, produces intermittent flashes, which are easy to attract the attention of the aircraft crew in the air ().

If a two-way mirror or metal plate is not available, an ordinary one-way mirror without a hole can be used for signaling purposes, using the following procedure: a) holding the mirror with one hand close to the face, position it so that the reflected beam is directed approximately in the desired direction , i.e. on a flying helicopter or plane; b) extend the other hand in the direction of the object of sight and “plant” it on the end of the abducted thumb; c) adjust the tilt of the mirror so that the abducted thumb is illuminated by reflected light. Now the reflected beam is directed at the flying helicopter. The accuracy of beam guidance using this method is lower than with a special signal mirror ( rice. 10, b).

If there is no mirror, as a substitute you can try to use a shiny bottom from a tin can, a piece of some metal plate, i.e. any objects that reflect the sun's rays.

Available means

Tourists in distress can use the means at their disposal to indicate their location.
Bright items of clothing and equipment (tents, awnings, capes, backpacks, etc.) can be hung in the form of flags on trees, poles and, preferably, on a more elevated place in relation to the surrounding area. If there is a river or stream flowing in a forest area, you can use a brightly colored tent or awning for signaling purposes, stretching it over the river or stream ( rice. eleven).

For signaling purposes, you can also use the surrounding area, making changes to it that are clearly visible from the air. For these purposes, you can cut down bushes in the form of a circle, square or other geometric shapes, trample similar or other shapes in the snow with your feet or skis. It is advisable, if the terrain allows, to increase the size of signs or figures to 30–50 m on the sides or in diameter, so that they are easier to notice from the air. If there is a body of standing water, the surface of the water can be painted with fluorescein or uranine powder, the resulting stain can be clearly visible from the air and, as a rule, attracts the attention of not only search helicopters, but also aircraft crews flying in the area.
As a means of signaling, you can use a manufactured raft, secure it to the surface of the reservoir using anchors and light a fire on it when a helicopter appears.
You can use boulders, making various shapes out of them that could attract the attention of a search helicopter, trees, making some geometric shapes out of them.
At night, ordinary flashlights are suitable for signaling. Flashlight signals are more noticeable if they are turned on and off.
In addition to the above-mentioned signaling devices, participants of tourist groups making hikes with active modes of transportation, the routes of which pass away from populated areas, especially in difficult areas, must know the code table of international visual signals "Ground - Air" given to the crew of any aircraft in the event of any or an emergency ( rice. 12).
International code tableair signals "Ground - Air":

1 – a doctor is needed – serious bodily injury; 2 – medicines are needed; 3 – unable to move; 4 – need food and water; 5 – weapons and ammunition required; 6 – map and compass required; 7 – you need a warning lamp with a battery and a radio station; 8 – indicate the direction of travel; 9 – I am moving in this direction; 10 – we will try to take off; 11 – the ship is seriously damaged; 12 – it’s safe to land here; 13 – fuel and oil required; 14 – everything is fine; 15 – no or negative; 16 – yes or positive; 17– didn’t understand; 18 – mechanic required;

19 – operations completed; 20 – nothing was found, we continue searching; 21 – information has been received that the aircraft is in this direction; 22 – we found all the people; 23 – we found only a few people; 24 – we are unable to continue, we return to base; 25 – divided into two groups, each following in the indicated direction.

Note.
1. Signals 1–9, 12, 14–17, 20, 22–25 are used by members of the tourist group in which the emergency occurred, or, at the direction of the head of the search and rescue service, they take part in the search (providing assistance) to another tourist group.

The signals of the international code table can be laid out from bright items of clothing and equipment, and in the event of a sudden appearance of a helicopter or airplane, the signal can be created by tourists themselves, for which they should lie down on the surface of the earth or snow cover. In winter, if snow cover permits, signs can be trampled in open and relatively flat areas. In order for the signs to be more visible from the air, they can (if available in a rescue fund or during underground research work) be painted with fluorescein or uranine powder.
The signal can also be posted using skis and ski poles, tree trunks and other available material for this purpose.
If a pennant with questions is dropped on a tourist group discovered by a search helicopter, then the questions asked should be answered first. For example, a pennant with the following questions was dropped from a helicopter: “Are you a group from school 46 in the city of Novosibirsk ( conditionally), leader Parshin?”

If you are, then the answer must be posted in the form of sign 16, which means: “Yes.” Quite naturally the question will be asked about the need to provide any assistance. If you need medical assistance, even if you are not in the above group, you should post one of the signs (1–3) or all three in sequence, depending on the current situation.

Water alarm

It is possible that some kind of emergency may occur with a tourist group hiking in a large area of water, the consequences of which will require outside help. The following can be used to issue a distress signal:

mobile communications;

radio beacon for sending a signal through the COSPAS-SARSAT system;

signal mirror (in sunny weather and when an aircraft appears);

flares, signal cartridges;

flashlights at night and an improvised torch from improvised means;

special powder (fluorescein or uranine) for coloring water.
Signals sent by a flashlight, as already mentioned, are more noticeable if they are sent by switching on and off. In the absence of a flashlight or failure of power sources (batteries), a signal when a helicopter appears can be given using a torch, having previously prepared it from a shirt, T-shirt and other items of clothing or equipment. You should keep the required amount of fuel ready, poured from a kerosene stove or a spare canister, if available. If you don't have metal tent poles, you can use a paddle to make a torch. In case of loss of oars, you can use utensils (bowl, pot, etc.) by placing rags soaked in fuel in them, which should be set on fire at the moment the helicopter appears, naturally observing all precautions so as not to burn any part of the body .
These are the basic subtleties of using a helicopter during search and rescue operations, which the rescuers who sheltered us during Andrei Ilyich’s recovery told us.”

Conclusion

When an emergency occurs in a tourist group, the search and rescue service often involves in the work carried out not only members of the group in which the emergency occurred, but also members of other tourist groups traveling in the area or who arrived at the search and rescue service for registration for the purpose of completing the declared trip, which is provided for by the Instructions for organizing and conducting tourist trips, expeditions and excursions (travels) with pupils, pupils and students of the Russian Federation, approved by order of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation dated July 13, 1992 No. 293.
Therefore, both need to have, if not skills, then at least a basic understanding of the main points associated with organizing and conducting search and rescue operations using a helicopter. First of all, this applies to tourist groups, which, as already mentioned, make their trips far from populated areas and in difficult terrain. In the event of an emergency in a tourist group, delivery of rescuers in a short time is possible, as a rule, only with the help of a helicopter. And not only the delivery of rescuers, but also the search for a tourist group that has overstayed the established deadline for completing the hike. Knowledge and ability to organize the submission of various signals from the ground to a search helicopter, select and equip a temporary landing site for a helicopter, place the victim in a stretcher lowered from a helicopter if it is impossible for him to land at the scene of an emergency - all this is one of the keys to a successful search operation. rescue operation.

P.S. The story of Marina, a participant in the hike, was written down, supplemented, corrected, illustrated, and also wrote a conclusion

Vladislav Nosyrev

Distress signals

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 most accessible way of sending signals, which has been used from time immemorial to the present. 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 inclement weather in summer, such smoke is hardly noticeable. At this time of year, black smoke is clearly visible. To do this, you can use rubber, plastic or car oil.

At night you need a bright fire made of 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.

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.

Developed and used by rescuers 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 equipment is not available, 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 a 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” - swaying from wing to wing or 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 landing direction and landing location” - 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 - “Caution, dangerous!”