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You can see some of the sun’s reflection on the tree through the center hole, while also seeing some of the fireball on the edge of the mesh. If you do not have a traditional signal mirror with a hole in the center for sighting (or if you have a cheaper model that fogs or obstructs your vision), you can still use your fingers to find the reflected sunlight. Signaling is an important skill that everyone must learn. Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. You will need to familiarize yourself with how to use the signal mirror. When an emergency does occur, you wouldn’t have enough time to practice. You will be too frantic to even focus on seeking immediate rescue. Other Signaling Methods Without a direct line of sight to the target, you will need to assume that you are missing your target. To compensate for this, keep the mirror as close as possible to your sighting eye and sweep the mirror over the target between your fingers in each direction to make sure you are flashing the target with the mirror. Fireball Sighting a Signal Mirror
Wynne, Major A.S. (March 15, 1880). "Heliography and Army Signalling Generally". Journal of the Royal United Service Institution. XXIV (CV): 235–258. doi: 10.1080/03071848009417153 . Retrieved June 21, 2011. Size: Larger signal mirrors aren’t necessarily easier to aim. Instead, look for one which you can comfortably hold in your hands and is practical to carry (such as one that will fit in your wallet or first aid kit). Otherwise, you won’t have it with you when you need it.
a b c d e f Coe, Lewis The Telegraph: A History of Morse's Invention and Its Predecessors in the United States. Google Books. Retrieved on 1 June 2008. Similarly, the story that a shield was used as a heliograph at the Battle of Marathon is a modern myth, [16] originating in the 1800s. Herodotus never mentioned any flash. [17] What Herodotus did write was that someone was accused of having arranged to "hold up a shield as a signal". [18] Suspicion grew in the 1900s that the flash theory was implausible. [19] The conclusion after testing the theory was "Nobody flashed a shield at the Battle of Marathon". [20] If you're improvising your mirror, hold up two fingers in a V shape and angle the mirror (or credit card or compact) so that most of the light passes through the V. This will help you to find the bead of light. Material: Plastic is generally better than glass because it won’t break as easily. It also doesn’t scratch as easily as metal signal mirrors. Modern signal mirrors use plastic which is highly reflective. However, many people prefer glass signal mirrors because they generally can reflect longer distances. Stainless steel also reflects further than most plastic signal mirrors, but scratches very easily.
If you are lost you have two options when using a signal mirror: Periodically scan in a general direction to give search and rescue a chance of seeing your mirror flash, or directly signal to people, vehicles or planes. By the late 1800s, the U.S. Army was using relay networks of heliograph stations to send messages through the vast desert expanses of Arizona and New Mexico [source: Coe]. Angle the mirror so that the sun reflects off it and hits the V you made with your fingers. This is how you can be sure that the reflection is going through your fingers and towards your target. Flash the mirror in the direction of your target, tilting the mirror slightly up and down to create a flashing effect. This will help catch the attention of the rescuers and make your signal more visible. First, it’s ideal to have a signal mirror with a built-in sight—a small hole in the middle of the mirror that you can peep through for better accuracy. If you’re using a mirror without a sight, hold it against your face just beside your eye. If you don’t have a mirror, other reflective surfaces—such as a stainless-steel plate or, to a lesser extent, the screen of your smartphone or handheld GPS device—can be used in a pinch.
How to Use a Signal Mirror
You will need to angle your signal mirror properly, hence you will be moving around while your eyes are fixed on the target. It's not just getting lost or stranded that leaves you needing rescue. It might not bear thinking about, but having a plan if you become trapped in a tight spot after a disaster, or end up the victim of a kidnapping situation might just save your life.
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