Products You May Like
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
Download the app.
Out Alive is a podcast about real people who survived the unsurvivable. Check out more seasons and episodes here.
In this Survival Short Episode of Out Alive, “Signal Fire Strategies,” we delve into the critical role that signaling and signal fires can play in helping people survive in emergency situations. We start with an actual case story about a day-hiker who found himself lost in a remote forest and tried to signal for help, but made a critical mistake that put his life in even greater danger. This cautionary tale highlights the importance of proper planning and execution when creating signal fires in survival scenarios.
To provide expert analysis on this topic, we speak with former Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor Jessie Krebs. Jessie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion, having served as a backcountry mountain guide and wilderness therapist before founding OWL Skills, which is dedicated to educating and empowering women and other underrepresented demographics in the skills of surviving emergencies in global wilderness environments.
During the episode, Jessie shares her insights on a range of topics related to signal fires, including site selection, fuel choice, smoke color, and fire safety. She emphasizes the importance of selecting a location that is visible from the air or ground and choosing materials that will burn for a long time and produce thick, visible smoke. She also discusses the potential hazards of signal fires and the importance of taking precautions to ensure that they do not cause unintended harm.
In addition to signal fires, Jessie also discusses alternative signaling methods that people can use in emergency situations. These include using mirrors, flares, as well as creating improvised signs or symbols on the ground. By diversifying their signaling methods, people can increase their chances of being seen or heard by rescuers.
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or simply someone who wants to be prepared for emergencies, this episode of “Signal Fire Strategies” offers valuable insights and practical advice on how to use signal fires and other signaling methods to increase your chances of survival in survival scenarios. Tune in to learn from the case story and expert analysis provided by Jessie Krebs.
Transcript coming soon.