Signals Code.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19622, 1 February 1936, Page 3

Signals Code.

FOR LOST T-RAMPERS. WHAT TO DO IN DISTRESS. As the result of a code of signals devised by representatives of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of New Zealand and the aviation branch of the Defence Department, Hampers in isolated country will be required to make certain additions to their packs. These include strips of reddish or orange cloth at least Bft. long, and a bottle of Condy’s crystals with which to make signals oil the snow.

Information regarding the code of signals is contained in a circular sent to Aero Clubs. The first signal is that to be made by a party lost or in distress, to either aircraft or ground parties. This consists of smoke signals or flashes from a mirror, at the rate of six per minute.

Having attracted attention from the air by this means, the party may make additional signals in the following code by means of the strips of cloth, or, in their absence, other suitable material: Party in need oi help, L; in need of doctor, 11; in need of information as to route, X; not in need of help, T.

Signals from Aircraft

The following signals have been designed for aircraft wishing to communicate with ground parties: — To acknowledge having read the ground signals, the searching aeroplane will signal bv repeated circling and (or) the dropping of coloured papers; to indicate the direction the lost party should take, aeroplanes will circle overhead and then tly in the general direction the party is to take, this manoeuvre to be repeated several times; to advise land searchers of the location of a lost party aeroplanes will circle over the party and drop coloured paper; to advise that searchers on tin? ground are to return home, aeroplanes will tly over the search area with coloured streamers attached to the struts or wing-tips.

“It has not been considered necessary to provide a message from ground to air indicating that a lost party is in need of food, as the wants of Hampers in this respect would be already known,” the circular added. Should, however, it be deemed necessary to drop food supplies, they should be wrapped in small parcels and dropped with coloured streamers attached.