Scouting Resources - Codes

Rescue Signals

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.

Quick Links

Ground - to - Air		Mountain Rescue
Body Signals

Downloads

Darren Dowling

	Tracking Signs - Basic			Country Code - Booklet
	Tracking Signs - Explained

Connected

Life Saving Signals

Ground to Air

Message		Signal
Require Assistance		V
Require Medical Assistance		X
No or Negative		N
Yes or Affirmative		Y
Proceeding in this direction		↑

Sending & Receiving Signals

Rescue

Body 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.

Response
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.

Message	Flare Signal	Sound Signal	Light Signal
S O S	Red	3 short blasts, 3 long, 3 short Repeat after 1 minute interval	3 short flashes, 3 long, 3 short Repeat after 1 minute interval
HELP NEEDED	Red	6 blasts in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval	6 flashes in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval
Message Understood	White	3 blasts in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval	3 flashes in quick succession Repeat after 1 minute interval
Return to Base	Green	Prolonged succession of blasts	Prolonged succession of flashes