How to Use Morse Code to Signal for Help

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   First and foremost, remain calm and assess your current situation, and ensure that help is definitely required.

Additionally, the transmission of a false distress signal is illegal, and fines can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year.

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   So, you want to learn to use Morse Code? Great!

Morse Code consists of two things: Dots, ".", and Dashes. "-". This may seem a bit confusing, but in reality it's very simple.

A Dot is a quick, brief 'blip', and a Dash is a longer 'blip'.

The most commonly used distress Signal is "SOS".

That is: . . . - - - . . .

Dot Dot Dot Dash Dash Dash Dot Dot Dot

And since there are a few ways of transmitting an SOS, we'll go over them.

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   If you have access to a radio handset, most often they have their own built in distress signal that will transmit SOS to the emergency channel. Methods vary on activating this.

You can manually send an SOS by sounding out the Morse Code with your voice (Bee for Dots and Bah for Dashes is a good way.)

If you're unsure of your local emergency channel, you can use 500 kHz, which is the International Distress Frequency, or Channel 16 in some areas.

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   If you don't have access to a radio, a bright flash-light, laser pointer (though illegal in some places), car light or horn, or any other loud or easily seen light can be used to transmit Morse Code.

Hold the Light or sound for one second, then release, for the Dots. Hold for two seconds for the dash.

Dot Dot Dot Dash Dash Dash Dot Dot Dot

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   In some circumstances, such as being stranded in the wilderness, you can pile up three piles of three items, such as rocks, and mark your passage to aid a search party. Make sure they are in a highly visible area.