To be seen there is specific emergency rescue gear you need to carry. This gear helps notify others that you need help and assists them in locating you.

The gear starts with two very basic items:

• Rescue Whistle – This is a very loud whistle that you carry and use when you need assistance. A whistle when heard in the woods is a global notification that you need assistance.  I have whistles on my emergency packs as well as my day packs.
• Signal Mirror – The signal mirror can be used to signal both airplanes and people on the ground.

The whistle supplied with the Bug Out Bagz kits is a Fox 40 Micro Safety whistle. This whistle sounds at about 110 DB and will work well in most situations.

The mirror that I carry is what came with my gear and is the Adventure Medical Systems Rescue Flash™ Signal Mirror. This is a very effective mirror with an aiming hole and a very reflective surface.

Some additional gear assists you in getting the message out that you need help as well as helps rescue personnel locate you.

• Aerial Emergency Flares when used correctly will help alert people that you need help as well as to your position.  It is best to have at least 4. I would use the first 2 at night 1 just after dark and about 1 hour later. I would reserve the other 2 to help notify either aircraft or ground crews that I need help.
• Signal smoke is a very effective way of alerting aircraft to your location during the day. It will also help with ground search crews if they are near.

Orion Search and Rescue makes both aerial signal flares and smoke signals that can be carried in the emergency pack. I have a supply of both that Orion has provided me with. The cost of both of these items is very low and will REALY help let people know that you need help. NOTE: If you use a signal flare you better REALY need help!

The final item that you should carry in your pack is a space blanket. This can also be used as an aerial signal. You unfold the blanket and lay it out in a visible area. Rocks can be used to hold down the edges.

I hold an Amateur Radio operator license  and my radio is another device I can use to request assistance. Using the radio combined with a GPS I will be able to direct assistance to our specific location. I always have a hand held radio in the car with me that will go with the emergency pack if I need to evacuate.