Rescue Signals

Rescue

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Warning

Care must be taken if you are going to 'practice' any sort of rescue signal that there is no possibility of them being mistaken for a 'real' signal.

Under no circumstances should the emergency services have to respond to a 'non-emergency'. This could ultimately cost lives.



Ground to Air Signals

VXNY
Require AssistanceRequire Medical AssistanceNo or NegativeYes or AffirmativeProceeding in this direction

Sending & Receiving Signals

Air Signals

These are commonly used body signals that will be understood by airmen. Make sure that all signals are made clearly, exaggerate the movements and use a cloth to make the yes and no signals clear.

A pilot receiving messages from the ground will acknowledge receipt of these messages by:

Message received and understood

In daylight: flying the plane and tipping the wings in a rocking motion from side to side

At night: flashing green lights

Message received but NOT understood

In daylight: flying the plane in a right-handed circle

At night: flashing red lights


Mountain Rescue

These are internationally recognized by all mountain rescue services.

MessageFlare SignalSound SignalLight Signal
SOSRed3 short blasts, 3 long, 3 short Repeat after 1 minute interval3 short flashes, 3 long, 3 short Repeat after 1 minute interval
Help NeededRed6 blasts in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval6 flashes in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval
Message UnderstoodWhite3 blasts in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval3 flashes in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval
Return to BaseGreenProlonged succession of blastsProlonged succession of flashes