Topic

Signal Mirror – Lifesaver or BS?


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Signal Mirror – Lifesaver or BS?

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 52 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1228183
    John Brown
    Spectator

    @johnbrown2005

    Locale: Portland, OR

    After watching the scene in Rescue Dawn where Dieter escapes the POW camp and lives on leaves, only to find himself unable to catch the rescue chopper's attention as it flies over, I decided to get a signal mirror. But in looking at it and thinking about it, I had to ask myself, is this a lifesaver? Or some survivalist hokum? Any thoughts or even better experience? Thanks!

    #1427196
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    Do you shave on the trail? ;-)

    I guess if you broke your leg offtrail and wanted to attract attention, it might work better than shouting. As long as the sun is shining of course.

    Do you carry a cellphone?

    #1427197
    David Thul
    Member

    @thuldj

    Locale: Rocky Mountains

    I have always wanted one of these! Don't know how practical it is. . . what it lacks in lightitude it makes up for with bling and geek factor

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/8a39/

    #1427198
    Brian UL
    Member

    @maynard76

    Locale: New England

    When I was really being critical about what I should be carrying in a survival kit I asked the same question.

    and I found that it is worth carrying, not only can you signal help but you have a mirror that can help if you get something in your eye or need to see your face.
    Just make sure it has a sight and is good quality. Ive been told it should be glass as its the most reflective but I really like these ones:
    http://www.countycomm.com/ccsignalmirror.htm

    #1427203
    Denis Hazlewood
    BPL Member

    @redleader

    Locale: Northern California

    It is not necessary to have a sight on a mirror to use it for signaling.

    Simply hold the mirror in one hand and extend the other arm with your thumb pointing up. Keep your extended thumb on the "target" you wish to signal. Sight past the mirror and use the extended thumb as a "fore sight" Then adjust the mirror to shine the sun "spot" on the tip of your thumb. This will project the "sun spot" onto your "target" (rescue helicopter?) To allow for parallax you might wiggle the mirror slightly to flash the spot around just a little.

    Practice in your own yard. Probably not a good idea to practice this on military or law enforcement planes though.

    #1427205
    John G
    BPL Member

    @johng10

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic via Upstate NY

    I mostly hike in the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania area – so the trees pretty much prevent using a signal mirror unless you first climb to the top of one mountain ridges and find a cliff / overlook.

    Or so I've always thought – until recently…

    I went day hiking along the Potomac river during the spring thaw in February and as I was leaving the trailhead I noticed several fire / rescue vehicles pull in and a dozen SAR guys hustle over to an overlook and start looking down the valley with binoculars. When I asked what was up, they told me a hiker had been hurt and they were flying in a helicopter for evac. As I started my day hike, I noticed a helicopter slowly circling one of the overlook / rocky points jutting about 2-3 miles farther down the valley.

    The dayhike trail followed a ridge that had several overlooks – and for then next 30-45 minutes I noticed the helicopter was still flying around in the same area. At approximately the 1 hour mark, I noticed they were now flying a "back and forth" search pattern. About 30-45 minutes later, their search pattern legs lasted about 5-7 minutes each way – and were long enough so I could hear the helicopter for 3-4 minutes each leg.

    At about the 2 hour mark, I noticed they were now flying the same back and forth pattern – on the other side of the valley – in a bowl shaped side valley. About 45 minutes later, I noticed they had moved to a different side-valley. After another 30 minutes I noticed they had moved to a third location.

    At the 3 1/2 hour mark, I noticed they were not flying the great big back and forth pattern (no sound for 3-4 minutes at a time) on the side of the valley they had just searched the 3 locations at.

    Around the 4 1/2 hour mark the search pattern had moved far enough away, I couldn't hear it anymore.



    Anyway, I got me thinking… What I decided was that if I was injured enough to need rescue, it would probably be near a cliff. Otherwise it would be a sprain I could wrap and walk out on. Further, I figured if my buddy had a head injury or internal problems, etc – I might not be able to leave them and hike out to bring help. Finally, if I was alone, I might be too injured to make a fire to generate smoke, or lay out clothing in a big X pattern etc.

    So I think that a mirror might be a good idea. The helicopter would be able to see it, since the cliff doesn't have trees on 1 side – and the SAR guys searched those areas first. I've also read mirros can be seen by pilots a few miles away, and the flickering light gets their attention better than smoke, etc.

    But what if it's not sunny the day someone's injured… For those days, I bet those fireworks smoke bombs weigh around 1/3 – 1/2 ounce each. I might start carrying a mirror and a handful (2-3 ounces) of smoke bombs just in case. It would really suck to be injured, be able to call the rescue chopper – and still not get rescued. I bet that chopper searched a 5-7 square mile area – and that area had several named trails with good landmarks to direct help to your approximate location.

    #1427206
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    or then for those not so sunny days there's the skystreme at a svelte 43g

    http://www.skystreme.com/

    #1427208
    Brian UL
    Member

    @maynard76

    Locale: New England

    Signaling is only one function.
    Like I said it would be invalubale if you got somthing in your eye. Or even more likley -say you fell and cut your face/head or in/on your mouth. How would you know how bad it was? How will you clean it and make sure ther is no debris in it?
    The mirror could be a lifsaver in those situations.
    Sure you might be able to find a still pool of water but its not going to be as sharp and consistant an image

    #1427211
    John Brown
    Spectator

    @johnbrown2005

    Locale: Portland, OR

    I guess the question in my mind is: Does it really work for signalling? How many factors have to line up for it to be effective? Is it a sure enough bet that you could pull it off when injured? Or is it a kind of one in a million thing. I have no data either way.

    #1427212
    Bob Bankhead
    BPL Member

    @wandering_bob

    Locale: Oregon, USA

    See http://www.equipped.com/psp/psp_rescueflash.htm for illustrated instructions for using signal mirrors.

    It is part of the Adventure Medical Kits' Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak available at REI and other outdoor stores for $25.
    pocket survival pak

    The Pak or just the signal mirror itself can be purchased separately from Adventure Medical Kits.
    signal mirror

    #1427215
    Mike Barney
    Member

    @eaglemb

    Locale: AZ, the Great Southwest!

    Bad news: It's harder than it looks if you haven't had someone who actually knows how to do it show you 1st hand. This is because you have a "double angle" problem. This is because to reflect the sun to a would-be rescuer, you have to position the mirror to where the angle between the sun and the rescuer is exactly double of that between the boresight or centerline of the mirror and the sun.

    Good news: On a bright sunny day, if you know what you're doing, can reach out 20+ miles.

    Have fun.

    #1427227
    Jason Brinkman
    BPL Member

    @jbrinkmanboi

    Locale: Idaho

    I played around with a mirror enough as a kid to know that it probably wasn't as easy as it might seem to signal a plane or heli. And in my quest for lightening and simplifying my gear, it was simply an item that was very unlikely to be used (for signaling). However, I upgraded my compass last year to a sighting compass, which has as a key feature, a mirror! Now I have a mirror that serves multiple uses as part of a super accurate compass, an self-inspection tool (for eyes especially), and a signal mirror. And it is always in easy reach, so if I ever was incapacitated to the point of needing the mirror for signaling, it would likely be in reach.

    #1427231
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    I have never heard of anyone actually being rescued by using a mirror. Nice theory, but … On the other hand, a camera flash gun pointed roughly at a chopper works very well I am told.

    A really good UL mirror with a central sighting hole can be found in your pile of discarded CDs. The weight is small enough that you could consider taking it, and if it gets damaged – well, chuck it out and grab another dead CD.

    No, I don't carry one myself.

    Cheers

    #1427236
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Years ago a B-17 was touring the US, raising funds for restorations by selling 30 minute rides. From at least 5 miles away, and at a low angle, I flashed it several times with a sighting mirror. I could easily see the plane 'light up' in the central spot. It turned, flew to me, circled, waggled its wings, and then continued outbound.

    In the expanses of South Utah I have practiced 'sweeping the rim' 360°. Easy at noon, difficult morning and evening.

    I doubt either would have been possible by 'thumb sighting'.
    And being in the southwestern US, sunshine was abundant.

    #1427250
    David Lewis
    BPL Member

    @davidlewis

    Locale: Nova Scotia, Canada

    A few replies…

    1. For the sake of 17 grams… yes… I carry one
    2. It is possible to use one without a sight… but it takes a lot more skill
    3. Yes… they work
    4. Unlike a camera (good idea btw)… they don't rely on batteries
    5. As for being within reach if injured, always carry your emergency kit on your person! Never carry it in your backpack. A fanny pack (as long as you always wear it) or pockets work.

    #1427257
    Timothy Roper
    Member

    @lazybones

    Locale: Alabama

    Potential lifesaver – if you practice with it.

    I have the mirror pictured above, and it is very effective. I practiced with it on a local river with friends. I would take the boat out and at various places flash them back on the dock. We had cell phones so I got instant feedback on the effect.

    Learn to aim it, and you are way ahead of someone who hasn't practiced.

    It's just like a tarp, practice setting it up at home, then use it and become proficient under good conditions – don't wait until it's dark and stormy to take it out of the box and expect to be successful.

    #1427261
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    ah….

    … signalling is a tough go when it is "dark and stormy"

    #1427273
    Steve .
    Member

    @pappekak

    Locale: Tralfamadore

    I went for the el-cheapo @ $3.50

    http://www.rei.com/product/745496

    Really useful if need to put ointment in your eyes at night.

    #1427280
    Timothy Roper
    Member

    @lazybones

    Locale: Alabama

    Greg:

    Try reading my post. I was pointing out that waiting until an emergency happens to learn to use a mirror is akin to waiting until it is dark and stormy to learn to set up a tarp.

    #1427288
    Mike Clelland
    Member

    @mikeclelland

    Locale: The Tetons (via Idaho)

    I hate carrying the signal mirror.

    Take a compass with a mirror and call it good.

    Also – a dvd is a simple alternative (and light!)

    peace,
    M!

    #1427292
    John Brown
    Spectator

    @johnbrown2005

    Locale: Portland, OR

    Mike, what's the conventional wisdom at NOLS re: the effectiveness of a mirror or like for signalling?

    #1427303
    Denis Hazlewood
    BPL Member

    @redleader

    Locale: Northern California

    Somewhere around here I've got one of those Mini CD's. Now, where did I last see it?

    #1427304
    Mike W
    BPL Member

    @skopeo

    Locale: British Columbia

    #1427309
    Michael Crosby
    BPL Member

    @djjmikie

    Locale: Ky

    I have been carrying this pen-style flare launcher and flares for a number of years and a similar type on military missions. I use them for both backpacking and walk in hunting trips. The bear bangers also work well for signaling and on all kinds of animals. They travel about 50 meters before exploding.

    Edit: Spelling corrections;{

    #1427320
    David Lewis
    BPL Member

    @davidlewis

    Locale: Nova Scotia, Canada

    Woah… those pen flare things look cool!

    The CD/DVD idea is cool too. I wonder if they would be as easy to aim but I guess that just comes down to skill and practice. Also, if you wanted to save even more weight, you could use one of those mini CD's or business card CD's. Cool idea :)

    I also really like the camera flash idea. Never thought of that. I'd like to think I'd think of that in a survival situation… but I'm not sure I would have. Good to know.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 52 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...