Many people carry a signal mirror as part of their bug out bag. And it’s a must-have for people who live/work on water or in remote environments. One of our docs was retiring and was planning on hiking the pacific coast trail. Our manager was trying to think of a good retirement gift and I suggested a PLB. She asked what it was. I said it was for when you fall and can’t get up in the middle of nowhere. You push a button and a helicopter comes. It sends your coordinates to a satellite which relays it the government. Sometimes it is nice to see them! You can make three shots, three whistle blasts, three flashes of the signal mirror, or three burning bushes spaced apart.

It's possible to send detailed messages with a mirror by using Morse code, and some people carry cheat sheets to show them how. But you don't need to do that to be rescued. One of the most critical skills to master in a survival situation is signaling for rescue. Whether you’re stranded in the wilderness or lost at sea, the ability to signal your location can make the difference between life and death. And when it comes to signaling, you need to know how to use a signal mirror. The US military issues both 2×3” and 3×5” mirrors. If space is an absolute premium the UST StartFlash Micro Signal Mirror is a great option. For most people, a 2×3” signal mirror is all you need. A good signal mirror should have a small hole in the center with a retro-reflective grid to make aiming easier. Charles-La Vauzelle, Henri (1912). Instruction Pratique Sur L'Installation des Communications Optiques dans le Service De la Telegraphie Militaire: Premiere Partie, Communications Optiques de Campagne. pp.30–32, 42–43.That rafter isn't alone in owing his life to a signal mirror. Over the decades, there have been many other people stranded in dire situations in the wilderness or at sea whose lives have been saved by this simple device. The reverse of an emergency signaling mirror issued to pilots for use in the 1940s. Note the instructions on how to use it.

With your other hand, hold up two fingers and make a V with them. Your target should be visible between the V. Search and rescue officials like Chris Sharpe (who has flown over 6,000 rescue operations) calls mirrors The best choice for most is the Coughlan’s Survival Signal Mirror. Coghlan’s offers several survival mirrors, but the Survival Signal mirror is the best because it has highly reflective laminated glass, a retro-reflective grid, and a small lanyard hole. The laminated glass will keep the mirror from shattering if it is dropped or accidentally compressed in your go-bag. Contenders Mirror communication will not go obsolete. It comes in handy when a cell phone tower or a battery-operated radio transmitter is unavailable. Remember to only practice on inanimate objects. The light from signal mirrors can temporarily blind people and result in accidents. Best Signal Mirrors

Reflective material

Use your other hand to position the mirror so that the reflection is aimed at your target. This could be a rescue aircraft, a passing boat, or a nearby search party. Today, signal mirrors are still recommended to military personnel and adventurers alike as a device to always have on hand.

Using Morse code, the venerable system of long and short flashes once used by telegraph operators, he spelled out an "SOS" message. You can see some of the sun’s reflection on the tree through the center hole, while also seeing some of the fireball on the edge of the mesh. Good topic Ken. I’ve owned few over the years. Last one got sold along with the abandon ship bag when I sold my sailboat. Just bought a fishing boat so time to put together another bag.Hodge, A. Trevor (2001). "Reflections on the Shield at Marathon". The Annual of the British School at Athens. 96: 237–259. doi: 10.1017/s0068245400005281. JSTOR 30073279. S2CID 128558448. We focus on emergency survival, looking to attract attention and notify potential rescuers of our location. Signal mirrors can certainly be used to send information or to signal for tactical operations, but our review and testing have been limited to survival and emergency applications. In the context of a signal mirror aiming device (with a round hole and ‘mesh’ in the middle), the mesh material actually consists of tiny glass beads glued to a screen. The sheer versatility of a signal mirror combined with its low profile and weight makes it ideal for a variety of survival kits and loadouts.