Mountain Distress Signals: Whistle, Flashlight and Body
Team game spread across the field to practice the international mountain distress signal (six signals per minute, then a minute's pause) and its reply (three per minute), plus the Y and N body signals for helicopters. A "lost" team must be found using signals alone.
How to play
- Explain the international distress signal and its reply, and the body signals: Y with both arms up (yes, we need help) and N with one arm up and one down (no, we do not need help) (4 min).
- Six teams of five in colored pinnies; two teams are "lost" and stand at far points of the field, facing away from the others (2 min).
- The lost teams sound the distress signal by whistle; rescue teams must reply correctly and walk toward them until they find them (6 min).
- Flashlight round simulating fog or dusk: lost teams signal with light and rescuers reply the same way (6 min).
- Helicopter round: a student on a bench plays the pilot and each team communicates a situation from their card using body signals (5 min).
- Wrap-up: why you should never blow a whistle for fun in the mountains and what to carry in a signaling kit (2 min).
Rules
- Whistles are used only for game signals and never near anyone's ear.
- Rescue teams walk and stay out of off-limits areas.
- Flashlights are never pointed at people's eyes.
- All teams rotate: each one plays lost at least once and rescue at least once.
Variations
Easier
Practice only the whistle signal at short range with no movement.
Standard
Locate teams by whistle and flashlight signals, plus body signals to a helicopter.
Harder
Lost teams change position after each series and rescuers must triangulate the direction from two points.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: takes part in the flashlight and body signal rounds and plays the observing pilot in the whistle round.
- Visual impairment: focuses on the whistle round, orienting by sound with a sighted guide.
- Limited mobility: joins a lost team or plays the helicopter pilot.
Learning goals
- Correctly use the international mountain distress signal and its reply.
- Learn the body signals for communicating with a rescue helicopter.
- Cooperate as a team to locate others from limited information.
Equipment for a class of 25
- whistles: 10
- flashlights: 10
- pinnies: 30
- worksheets: 10
Teacher tip
Pick a day without much wind for the whistle round, or shorten the distances. Flashlights work better in a darkened classroom or a wide hallway.
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