Great posts and info Rafowell.

As much as I like signal mirrors and carry one, my AO is not the best for this. Being in the PNW, we have overcast cloud, rain etc where we will do not see any significant amount of sun for days and sometimes weeks this time of year. Depending on where we are hiking/camping, the thick tree cover over large areas here can also really hamper any change of using a mirror if you were in the situation where you were incapacitated and unable to move.

The other potential drawback with a signal mirror even when there is sun and clear skies, is being able to attract an aircraft in remote areas where there is no commercial flight corridors (there are only a few major ones around here) is also crucial. Then again if a person out on a hike, whether it be a day or multi-day hike previously left a detailed trip Itinerary or route card with a responsible person, that would give the SAR air people ample reason to search the area you are in.

That said, this is why I carry a PLB and like anything else, be it a match to light a fire, a mirror, or whistle to attract potential rescue, these are all better options then not having a way at all.