Helping with rescue teams.

As an addition, go to a boat shop and buy a V sheet...... cheap assistance at around $5-6 and will indicate to any aircraft etc "require assistance". Just don't use it as a shade tent during a hot day (as has happened in the past). :-)

Andrew

I agree with Andrew. As an aviator who has participated in searches before, the V sheet is a universally recognised signalling device.

Oops, I forgot. Stick with the recognised symbols, but if all else fails a plainly written message might work.

One I've seen that didn't work was painted on the roof of a house near Parafield Airport. It simply said "PLANES F*#K OFF !!"

I used to laugh every time I flew over it. :-)

Andrew.
Thanks for the link. What I was looking for is away of sorting out who is ok and who needs help in a group of vehicles, your code is not intuitive or very informative, therefore it is unlikely to remembered by the average camper, not all people in aircraft are trained, in Aus its just as likely a local grazier with his wife as spotter. Most people can remember something if it is logical and or has a ditty to remember it by, may be I should offer a new 4x4 to the person who comes up with a system that is logical and easy to understand and remember. Eric.

Gidday Eric,

All pilots are required to be aware of international distress/rescue signals for use on the ground, regardless of category of pilots licence. So your average local grazier going for a spin in his Cessna 182 should know what the standard signals (which Andrew alluded to) mean.

Hope this helps.

Andrew - this link doesn't work - but here is the content. You can get there from this page - natsar.amsa.gov.au/SAR%5FIssues/

Ground to Air Emergency Code
You get into trouble in the middle of nowhere, set off your distress beacon and wait for the aircraft to arrive. What then? There is a set of internationally recognised distress signals known as the Ground-Air Visual Signal Code that can be used to convey simple messages to an overflying search aircraft where there is no other means of communication. However, there has been some confusion lately as to which signals are correct. The confusion has come about since some of the signals were either changed or withdrawn in 1986, the most significant being the changing of the X signal to mean ‘require medical assistance’. The authoritative publication in Australia on this issue is the National Search and Rescue Manual and the relevant table is shown below.

Table 1: Ground - air visual signal code for use by survivors
Message -------------------Code Symbol
Require Assistance --------V
Require Medical Assistance X
Proceeding in this Direction ==>
Yes or Affirmative ----------Y
No or Negative -------------- N
Note: If in doubt use International symbol - SOS

Basically, these symbols can be made on the ground by using rocks or other material or using ready-made V-Sheets etc. You must ensure that the symbols are large enough to be seen by an aircraft flying overhead. The pilot will respond if the signal is understood by rocking the aircraft’s wings during daylight or flashing the aircraft’s landing lights or navigation lights ON and OFF.

These signals are worthwhile remembering to indicate to a search aircraft that your party is in distress or, if the search aircraft cannot land close by, giving the pilot more information about the situation for relaying to a ground party or more suitable rescue aircraft that is making its way towards you.

August 2003

Andrew and Mike.
Thanks for the reply, I still feel that the code won't be remembered by motorists because it is not logical. A "V" could indicate that the kids are low on Tintams or someone has been swept away in the flood, as pilots you want more detail for the rescue team, as to the Y and N what is the question? Painting the REG no of the vehicle on the roof may be of value to the relatives. Eric.

Eric,

As a Search and Rescue Instructor (broad terms used), i can tell you that it doesn't matter what the issue is when you signal for assistance......all emergencies are treated as urgent.

Registration numbers on vehicles are of little assistance when an emergency situation is present (due to the signalling of distress etc) and the rescue will be acted upon accordingy. As a rescuer, i am not concerned with names, vehicle details in the rescue phase, as it does not directly assist the rescue process. Once rescued, it can be established if it is the missing/lost/injured person we are looking for. A vehicle with a "V" on top is a vehicle requesting assistance. Search and Rescue aircraft may drop communication/medical/food equipment to the stranded vehicle which will assist further.

As to not being intuitive etc, the symbols are internationally recognised, theoretically meaning those tourists lost in the outback should be able to communicate (albeit on a limited scope) with search/rescue aircraft/personnel. Rather than try to change/adopt new symbols, it may be wise to learn these symbols first, or alternatively carry a laminated card with the information on it when travelling in remote/dangerous areas.

The Yes an No means an understanding of a question. It is more likely used if limited communications is received eg someone with a low-power handheld may be able to receive communications, however not have the power to transmit etc.

Kids low on Timtams is not an Emergency in any country! Note that these are "emergency codes" similar to the use of 000....only used in an emergency and if you need timtams, ring your local shop instead. I hope that explains the analogy.

Cheers
Andrew

Phil

I still have a signaling mirror in my kit and have actually used it in the Gibson Desert many years ago when 27mH was a luxury and GPS not yet invented.

Could talk to the guys on the radio but buggered if we could spot them until we used the mirror at which stage they could direct us to where they were stuck.

What are the best tyres to burn - Coopers?

Cheers
Greg

Greg, I thought explorers would be resourceful and inventive not use obvious materials.

Best colour from the air depends upon the terrain. In the desert, green is the most easily seen, but basically they are looking for shape and colour ie something that isn't part of the picture.

The best kind of tyres to burn are called "spares". :)))

John LG, I guess the simple stuff shouldn't get lost with all this technology out there.

Greg, The sidewalls are a bit thin on the Coopers - probably burn too quick.Jack Absalom used to burn the Sigma tyres. Good thing about the Sigma is that if you had to, you could burn the car too :-)

Footy, Interesting thing about green is that a fair percentage of the male population (including me) are colour blind for green. I'd be pretty useless spotting from a plane.

Prados apparantly burn well in desert regions.........

Nothing like a $50K + signal fire for attracting attention.

Remember a CD or DVD makes an OK emergency signalling mirror.

- Look through the hole at the plane.
- Hold your other hand fully extended with one fingertip over the plane.
- Shift the CD so the sun's reflection moves around your fingertip.

It does work, though a proper mirror gives a brighter reflection.