[at-l] gun shot signals

[shane@theplacewithnoname.com (Shane Steinkamp)]

> No offense Shane, but if I heard 3 gun shots I would take that as a
> signal to get the hell outta Dodge.  I wouldn't be the one who took it
> as a distress signal, and certainly wouldn't be heading toward it to see
> if I could help.
>
> Gun shots may be loud, but they just tell me to head the other direction
> fast.

No offense taken.  Given your fear in this area, the best thing for you to
do is notify someone.

The Morse SOS (...---...) is a universal distress signal, but three of
anything is too.  Three whistle blasts, three horn blasts, three flashes of
a light, three tortured screams, three gun shots.  On water an orange flag,
orange smoke, orange dye, and red or orange flares are used.  The proper
response to these distress signals is one long whistle blast, one long horn
blast, one loud yell, or one gun shot.  That way the person signaling knows
that someone has heard.  If you signal, and someone responds, you should
keep signaling every ten minutes to help them find you.

Simple signaling skills save lives every year - and they could save yours.
If you don't know how to respond to such a signal, or are fearful or
incapable of responding, you should notify someone who can immediately.
Another argument for cell phones, I suppose...

Shane