Desert Hiking - Emergency Signaling

If you're completely disoriented, or an injury prevents you from traveling, then stay put and signal. If you let someone responsible know your plans before the trip, then searchers will eventually find you. You can help them find you more quickly by signaling. In North America, three of anything is the universal distress signal. You can use three fires, smoke columns, light flashes, or blasts on a whistle.

If you have a signal mirror, use it even if you haven't spotted a search vehicle or aircraft. In the desert, a mirror flash can be seen for 50 miles or more on a sunny day. Flash (by tapping or shaking the mirror) at any aircraft you spot, and regularly sweep the horizon with the mirror. Even if no one is searching for you, you'll eventually attract attention.