---
title: "6 Tips to Signal for Help in Winter"
description: "Use these guidelines to make your winter survival signals in the snow—and make them noticeable."
date: "2017-02-01"
modified: "2021-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Tim MacWelch"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/tim-macwelch/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/6-tips-to-signal-for-help-in-winter/"
categories:
  - "Gear"
  - "Survival"
  - "Survival Gear"
  - "Survival Skills"
---

# 6 Tips to Signal for Help in Winter

![green cross on snow](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/VPZWOKGRAMLFAV72KKT6PTCSQA.jpg>)
*Food coloring on snow works well for making rescue signals. Tim MacWelch*

One great thing about a snowy survival scenario? Rescue signals are easy to spot against that white background. One terrible thing about that same scenario is that a little more snow can bury your signal completely, and with it your hopes of being rescued. Use these guidelines to make your winter survival signals and make them noticeable.

**1.** Any rescue signal needs to be huge if it is to catch the attention of aircraft, regardless of the situation. This will be true on a desert island or deep in the snow covered backcountry. While the snow does create a blank canvas for you to build a high contrast signal for aircraft to spot, the snow also has its share of problems.

**2.** Any signal you build should be able to be quickly and easily cleaned off when additional snow falls on it. Building "X"s and squares out of logs will work for a signal. If they are dark colored, this will provide excellent contrast against the snow. And if the logs are dark colored, a few hours of sunlight may warm the dark bark enough to melt off additional thin snow falls. Think of it as a self-maintaining signal.

**3.** Another SOS trick for snow is to use food coloring mixed in water, or potassium permanganate crystals sprinkled across the snow. The permanganate will stain the snow purple-pink, while the food coloring will stain the snow its own respective color.

**4.** A giant fire can be an excellent snow country signal. Not only do the light and smoke signal for help, but the snow will melt in a circle around the fire. This can give you a large, round, dark patch of ground with a fire in the center. A low altitude plane or search helicopter should see that for sure. And in deep snow, you'll need to build a platform on top of the snow to effectively burn a fire. Using a "raft" of wet or green wood will give you several hours of burn time without the need to excavate snow down to the ground level.

**5.** A colorful signal panel is another good way to indicate where your camp is located, especially if that panel has a contrasting color and is large enough to be seen from a distance. Don't waste your blanket for this one. It's not big enough, and it's more valuable wrapped around you. Use a tarp or something else that is a bright color or reflective. Make sure you secure the panel tightly to branches, poles or other objects so that wind cannot blow it down.

**6.** Don't forget to bring signaling equipment with you into the wild. Signal whistles can work day or night, even in a whiteout. Once the weather clears, signal mirrors can catch the eye of people and aircraft miles away.

Have you ever set up a practice signal? Or used one for real? Please share your story by leaving a comment.