MOUNTAIN SAFETY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 15, 11 October 1937, Page 12

MOUNTAIN SAFETY

Signals for Searchers FEDERATION'S BOOKLET "Safety in the Mountains'' is the object and the title of a booklet being issued to all members of mountain clubs by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, The basio piinciples of climbing and tramping are set out, but the part that 6hould jae of great interest to all who have ever taken part in the many searphes on Mount Egmont will be that on distress signals and searcli organisation. Certasn distinct signals have been adopted and t-hose for communication with aircraft have been approved by the Controller of Civil Aviation. The distress signal is six signals a minute at ten-second intervals with no signals at alternate minutes. The acknowledgement signal is three signals a minute at 20-second intervals with no signals in alternate minutes. Several s'uggestions are given as to the fofiu of the signals, some recommeqded being the blanketjng of a smoky fire, shouting, sbots, whistles, tbe flashing of mirrors or torches and waving oi a clotji. A plain yellow flag indicates the need for medical aid. Several ground signals are given for communicating with aircraft and these should be laid out with clothing. stores, Condy's crystals or other suft> able oontrasting materials. "Hejp required" is indicated by "L;" "doetor required'' by "II"; information requiiv as to route, by "X" and "help not required" by **I\" An acknowledgement that the signals havd been read is given by repeated circling of the aeroplane or by dropping coioured paper. This may also indicate to searchers the position of a lost party. An indication of the route ean be given by circling and then flying off in the correct direc-tion, this to be repeated several tinies. A macb* ine hying with coioured streamers on its struts or wing tips indicates a ra call to searchers.