Meaning and importance of survival sign language
Understanding the Meaning and Importance of Survival Sign Language
Survival sign language has a dual purpose: to enable non-verbal communication in dangerous situations, and to indicate navigation or information landmarks in the wilderness. It is essential in many circumstances where sound could be a risk factor (such as when discreetly approaching a wild animal or a dangerous person) or when the voice does not carry far enough. It is also a valuable visual aid for marking a route, signaling danger or leaving a message for other survivors.
Meaning and Use of Survival Signs in Nonverbal Communication
Survival sign language consists of a set of structured gestures and body movements, which enable clear and concise communication without the use of words. The application of this form of non-verbal communication is particularly useful when speech is not possible or advisable.
For example :
- A raised clenched fist means “Stop”
- Pointing two fingers towards the eyes means “Look”
- A thumbs down indicates “Danger”
This type of communication remains simple and universal overall, even if variations may exist depending on countries and cultures.
Signs of Survival in the Wild
In an outdoor survival context, sign language also covers a range of marks left in the environment to signal the route taken, the location of food or water, the presence of dangers or other relevant information.
| Sign | Sense |
| Series of 3 circles with a line connecting them | Route taken |
| Cross | Presence of danger |
| Inverted triangle | Source of water or food |
The Importance of Survival Sign Language
Understanding survival sign language can significantly increase your chances of staying safe or even surviving in certain critical situations. Whether it’s communicating silently with members of your group, indicating your passage to a rescue team or detecting potential danger, the use of these signs can mean the difference between life and death.
Furthermore, these skills are also valuable during group hikes or expeditions, as they promote cohesion and facilitate communication at a distance or in difficult environments.
There are resources for learning and training in these survival signs, including specific manuals and training like those offered by Survival International And Wilderness Survival Skills.
So, knowing and understanding survival sign language is both an essential means of communication and a valuable survival skill. Take the time to learn it, teach it, and practice it, because you never know when you might need it.
Learn Basic Survival Signals
The Benefits of Learning Basic Survival Signals
The first benefit of learning basic survival signals is the ability to clearly convey a message silently. This can be crucial when it is too dangerous to make noise or when it is not possible to make your voice heard. Additionally, these signals can be recognized from afar, which is a definite advantage if you are trying to signal your presence to a search plane, for example.
Another advantage is the simplicity of these signals. They are generally easy to recall, perform and recognize, even for novices. This means that even if you find yourself in a survival situation without necessarily being an expert in survival techniques, you still have the ability to communicate clearly.
What are the basic survival signals everyone should know?
In a wilderness survival situation, you may need to get the attention of someone at a distance to get help. For this, there are a few universal signals you can use.
- Light signals: An effective way to signal your presence in the dark is to use a light or flashlight to send a distress signal. International usage is three flashes of light in a regular series, with a break between series.
- Audible signals: As with light signals, sound signals generally consist of three repeated sounds. These sounds can come from a whistle or even hitting an object repeatedly.
- Visual signals on the ground: These include marking SOS marks in the ground, setting up three lights or three piles of rocks in a line, or displaying a flag or other large object that can be seen from a distance.
Finding the Right Equipment to Effectively Communicate Your Survival Signals
If you plan to venture into the wilderness, it’s a good idea to carry tools that can help make your survival signals more effective. For example, a survival whistle is much more audible than the human voice. A tactical flashlight can help send light signals even in broad daylight. A signaling mirror is also a great tool to attract attention from afar.
Learning basic survival signs is an essential skill for anyone who spends time in the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or any other type of wilderness adventure, knowing these signs might just save your life one day. With these tips in mind, you will be better prepared to deal with a survival situation.
Practical use of survival sign language in emergency situations
Understanding survival sign language
Survival sign language is not a complex language, but rather a series of universal signs that first responders around the world can understand. To master it, you don’t need to have specific skills in sign language. But the important thing is to know these signs, including their meaning. For example, waving an item of clothing, a sign, or a mirror at an airplane or helicopter in large, deliberate movements may indicate that you are in distress.
Here are some commonly used survival signs to know:
- Mark “X”: I am injured or sick.
- “V” mark: Need medical assistance.
- “N” mark: No or negative.
- “Y” mark: Yes or affirmative.
- Parallel mark: Continue in this direction.
Using Survival Sign Language in an Emergency Situation
When you are in an emergency situation, it is crucial to remain calm and prioritize your actions. After assessing the situation and performing first aid if necessary, you can seek to establish communication.
Putting sign language into practice
The first step to using survival sign language is to create visual contrast so your signals are seen from a distance. For example, if you are in a forest, you could create a sign with light-colored branches or clothing so that it stands out against the green background.
Showcase your signs
Make sure your signs are clearly visible, either by placing them up high or in a clear space. And remember, the signs must be large enough to be visible from the sky.
The necessary equipment
Many objects can be used to create the signs: sticks, stones, sand, snow, clothing or even an LED torch like the LedLenser ML6 which has a built-in SOS mode to send signs of distress at night.
Never forget, your best asset in an emergency situation is your survival spirit and your calm. Survival sign language does not guarantee rescue, but it does increase your chances of being spotted and rescued. Take the time to master it before setting off on your adventure, you will be doing yourself a great service.
Distinguish between different survival signals
Visual Signals
The first type of signals we will discuss are visual signals. They are essential for attracting the attention of remote emergency services. Here are the most common:
Sound Signals
Audible signals are often as important as visual signals. However, you must use them sparingly to save your energy.
Terrestrial Signals
Some signals involve the use of the landscape itself.
