Scouts Survival Skills Badge

Show That You Know The Correct Use Of International Distress Signals, Using A Whistle, Torch,
Mirror Or Markers

Distress Signals Short Plays©

By Samantha Eagle
© All Rights Reserved 2019
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© Copyright Samantha Eagle

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The purchaser is authorised to use any of the information in this publication for his or her own use
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Published by Samantha Eagle

PO Box 245, La Manga Club Murcia, 30389, Spain.
Email: [email protected]

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While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither Author
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 Explorers Survival Skills Badge
Show That You Know The Correct Use Of International Distress Signals, Using A Whistle, Torch,
Mirror Or Markers

Distress Signals Short Plays©

Overview
For this task, the Scouts will perform shorts plays in teams to demonstrate ‘Rescue Scenarios’ using
‘International Distress Signals’.

Preparation Before The Meeting

1. Collect the tools listed in the ‘Materials Needed’ section
2. Print the ‘International Distress Signals’ handout – found in this document – you need one for
each team of four
3. Print the ‘Distress Signal Scenario Cards’ – found in this document – you need one set
4. Print the ‘Getting Help Whilst Out Hiking’ sheet – found in this document – you need one for
the leader

Materials Needed
• Collect these tools…Ideally you would have a set of everything for each team of four. If
you’re struggling, look at the scenarios because not all of them need all of these materials. But
it’s good for them to choose which ones they think they need
o Whistle
o 3 x fake fires - make something from paper, wood or twigs that will look like a fire.
The night time fire should have red paper in the middle and the day time fires should
have green paper in the middle
o Signalling mirror or any shiny object that you would have if you were camping/hiking
o Something square and something round for the flag signal
o Bright piece of material with a stick (for a flag)
o Torch
o Clothes, sticks or any material you may have whilst camping that you could use to
make a ‘ground signal’

Preparation At The Meeting

1. Layout the distress signal tools on a table

Directions/Leader Speak
1. Speak – The next task you need to do for your ‘Survival Skills Badge’ is to
demonstrate the correct use of ‘International Distress Signals’.
There are two key things you need to do as a survivor, the first one is to get your
rescuer's attention, and the second is to send them a message they understand.
Some attention-getters can be: laying out signals on the ground, a large fire, flash
of light, a large bright object moving slowly such as waving a flag or smoke signals.
Noise is also a way of attracting attention, such as using a whistle. The type of
signal used will depend on your environment, situation and the time of day it is.

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 Whatever signalling method you choose, know how to do it and be prepared to use
it at short notice…as aircraft gives very little warning before they briefly pass
overhead.
2. Speak – In teams of 4 you are going to perform a short 2-3 minute play to
demonstrate the rescue scenario that I am going to give you. You will have 5-7
minutes to prepare your play. This should demonstrate what signals you could use
to help your team be rescued. Some of your team could play the part of the
rescuer
3. Action – Hand out the ‘International Distress Signals’ handout to each team. Give them 5-10
minutes to read through it
4. Action – Give each team a ‘Distress Signal Scenario Card’ and allow them 5-7 minutes to
prepare their plays
5. Direction - Once the teams are ready they will act out their plays to the rest of the group. If
your group is small decrease the size of the teams

Getting Help Whilst Out Hiking

Once you’ve finished your plays go through the ‘WRAP UP - Getting Help Whilst Out Hiking’ sheet
with the group. This will further equip them with knowledge to get them ready for the next task which
is a quiz to demonstrate…

That they know some basic actions to take while waiting rescue that will both keep them (and their
Group) safe and will assist rescuers in locating them.

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 International Distress Signals

SOS signal Fire by Day

SOS (Save Our Souls) is the best known Look for a clearing to set up
international distress signal. The SOS signal three fires in the shape of a
can be transmitted by any method, visual or triangle.
audio. The code for SOS is 3 short, 3 long and 3
Add some green foliage to
short signals. Pause and repeat the signal.
create smoke signals

Whistle - Good for Close Up Signalling Fire at Night - Good Signal For Night Time if
Conditions Are Calm And Visibility is Clear
Use six distinct and sharp whistle blasts rest for 1
minute and blast again (if you were in the USA or Look for a clearing to set up three
Canada you would use 3 blasts) fires in the shape of a triangle.
Look for clearings at higher
A rescuer would typically blast 3 back to let you
elevation or the edge of a stream,
know they have heard. But if this
so that the vegetation does not
happens continue to blast your
conceal your signal. Be extremely
whistle so that the rescuers know
careful to avoid a forest fire as this
they are getting closer.
can further endanger your life.

Flag - This distress signal is internationally Flag - Wave a flag. Use brightly coloured material
recognised at sea to attract attention
Use a square flag then place Attach your material to a long stick
above or below it this will allow you to wave it. Plant it
anything in the ground while you are resting,
resembling a circle so it can still be seen.
shape.

Torch - Good to Use in a Night Time Situation Ground Signs

Use a torch to signal the code V – Require Assistance
for SOS. 3 short, 3 long and
X – Require Medical Assistance
3 short signals. Pause and
repeat the signal. Use any material you can get hold of to make
message signals to your rescuers. If a rescue is
nearby you can use your body to make these signs

Mirror - Good to use on a bright or sunny day

Any shiny object will help - polish your canteen cup, glasses, your belt buckle or a similar object that
will reflect the sun's rays.

A flash can be seen at a great distance. If a plane approaches, don't direct the beam in the aircraft's
cockpit for more than a few seconds as it may blind the pilot. Use the code for SOS.
Proper signalling mirrors have instructions on the back and a sighting hole for
aiming. Signal mirrors are said to be visible for over 70 miles, and even up to 100
miles in a desert environment. To signal with a mirror, hold the mirror neck high
and aim the reflection on a nearby ground object. If you have a sighting hole or
aiming indicator, slowly move the mirror until the bright spot is over the target
(aircraft).

Other objects to consider to use for signalling… a piece of tin foil, foil emergency blanket, a metallic bottle or a piece
of reflective clothing such as a belt buckle.
If you need to move location, leave a tracking sign to tell rescuers which direction you’re travelling in.

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 Distress Signal Scenario Cards

You’re stranded in the middle of a forest It’s daylight and whilst hiking up a mountain
and it’s dark. You hear a helicopter one of your party falls. You need help. You see
hovering above you. Display a distress another party of hikers in the distance. Display
signal to get noticed. a distress signal to get noticed.

You’re shipwrecked on a dessert island.

You’re on a boat in daylight and there’s a fault
You’re sure someone will try to find you.
with the engine. You prepare a distress signal
It’s daytime so you prepare a distress
to get noticed.
signal.

One of your party has lagged behind and You’re on a mountain near the sea in distress.
you’re sure they will panic. Demonstrate a You see some divers on the shore but they will
distress signal to let them know you’re be gone soon. Display a distress signal to get
near. noticed.

It’s daylight and whilst hiking you lose your

You’re hiking up a snowy mountain and bearings. You decide to stay where you are
one of your party slips out of sight. hoping you get rescued. Display a distress
signal to get noticed.

Night-time is closing in and you’re lost

You’re on a boat at night and there’s a fault
whilst hiking. You decide to stay where
with the engine. You prepare a distress signal
you are in hope of getting rescued.
to get noticed.
Display a distress signal to get noticed.

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 WRAP UP - GETTING HELP WHILST OUT HIKING

1. Speak - In the event that someone gets injured whilst you are out hiking it’s
important to know what to do.
2. Speak - The most important factor is ‘Being prepared’ which of course is our
motto. What things can we do to be prepared before we go hiking?
3. Action - Take answers and reiterate…
• Plan
• Be Fit
• Take The Right Equipment
• Take Enough Food And Water
• Have A Well Equipped First Aid Kit
• Hike With People You Know And Trust

4. Getting Help…
a) If you need emergency help whilst hiking…
• Contact 999 or 112. Make sure you know exactly where you are so that
your help can arrive as soon as possible
• If it’s not possible to call for help in the place that you are in you will
need to send two of your party off to get help and make sure that you
have someone stay with the injured party preferably two
Whoever goes for help should take a written note with the following
information:
• Precise location of accident including a 6-figure grid reference
• A description of the location
• A description of the accident and time it occurred
• Name of casualty and next of kin
• Description of injuries. Stick to the facts
• Names of other party members
• Information about terrain and best approach route
5. Speak – I am going to read out to you some ‘Internationally recognised system of
codes’… Let’s see if you can give me the ‘Message Understood Signal’
6. Direction - Read the help side of the table and ask them if they know what the
‘Message Understood Signal Is’…

Help Message Understood Signal Is

Red Flare White flare
6 whistle blasts in quick succession - 3 whistle blasts in quick succession -
repeated after a 1 minute interval repeated after a 1 minute
6 flashes from a torch in quick
3 flashes from a torch in quick
succession - repeated after 1 minute
succession - repeated after 1 minute
interval
3 short blasts, 3 long blasts, 3 short
And lastly what’s the SOS signal?
blasts - repeated after 1 minute

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