We have all seen the western movies where the Native Americans use smoke signals to communicate with one another. How much of that is myth and how much of it is truth? Well, it is true that Native American tribes did use smoke as a way to signal one another, but not in the extensive ways that the Hollywood movies try to portray. These smoke signals were not detailed messages by any means. Every tribe would likely have a short code or two that meant all was well or not well. Most messages probably only contained from one to three puffs of smoke and was done by adding grass to a fire and removing it and not by using their valuable blankets.

You might wonder what all of that has to do with being rescued from some where. It is simple really. People pay attention when they see smoke in an abnormal setting. If you are lost in the wilderness, have a wreck and can not get to help, or get injured and can not walk, building a small fire, if possible, where ever you are can get attention. Letting someone know you are there is the most important thing.

This is one reason that when you travel alone, whether you are riding a bike on trails, driving in a car, hiking, or running somewhere and there is a chance you will not encounter other people, thinking about being rescued should be something you think about. Whenever you do things alone in places where there are not other people, you might be in danger if you can not get back on your own.

You might also think this would never happen to you, but there are people who get stranded all of the time and they never expected it either. It could be in extreme heat or in extreme cold. Either one can be dangerous if you are stuck there for days. Keep a lighter or matches with you when you are venturing out alone in a remote or isolated place. Other items that might be good to take would be a whistle or a flashlight. If you can not build a fire to make smoke to be noticed, a whistle could signal someone if they are in hearing range. A flashlight would not do much good during the daytime, but you could use it like smoke signals at night to bring attention to yourself if anyone can see it.

Do not worry too much about a code, because even if you knew one, whoever saw it probably would not know what you were saying. Simply sending up or whistling short puffs or sound that will get attention will probably work. It just might help to get you rescued and save your life.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - All About Using Smoke Signals For Rescue

About the Author

Aydan Corkern is a writer of many topics, visit some of her sites, like Water Damage Restoration and New York Water Damage Restoration.