Science & Life Skills

Learn important safety skills for signaling for help when lost in nature.

Before going into the wilderness, you should tell someone your travel plans including where you're going and when you'll return.

Natural signaling methods include birch torches and signal fires that create thick smoke using green plant matter.

You can make geometric shapes from logs and branches, and use whistles with three quick blows as distress signals.

Signal flares work day and night, flashlights can make SOS signals, and signal mirrors reflect sunlight to get attention.

Signal mirrors work best facing south toward the sun, and bright colored materials like orange bivvy bags help you get spotted by aircraft.

How to Signal for Rescue when Lost in the Wild