I wanted to be able to carry a survival mirror around with me at all times. I took an old business card, wrapped it with silver mylar and then covered it with clear "acetate?" like clear contact paper. Now I can carry it in my wallet. The next one I make I'm going to try with foil.<br> <br>It's hard to tell in the picture but you aim with two fingers extended. Place the target between you fingers and then flash your fingers with the mirror there by also hitting the target.<br>

Just a comment about the mirror sighting diagram copied in your post. In my opinion, the diagram is flawed in that the mirror should be held close to your eye. This would allow you to flash down your line of sight, making it much easier to hit the target. Also, lying on your back does little to aid the process.

Why not just cut down a plastic signal mirror to whatever size you like and carry it between sheets of plastic? Remember, the bigger the better when it comes to signal mirrors.<br><br>I notice that the flat watch crystal on my cheapo Casio watchreflects light rather handily, so I suppose it might work as a back up signal mirror of sorts. I would hate to imagine the situation where I would be so desperate as to actually use it for this purpose, though. I always pack a real one in my PSK.

I like the business card, aluminoil foil, laminate idea. I think I will try that. I know of no purpose built mirror that I would be willing to carry in my wallet on a daily basis. A business card could go totally unnoticed until needed.

I agree that the figure I provided was not the best. It was all I could find. It came from FM 21-76. As for cutting down a survival mirror I think it would still be to thick.

One of our helicopters responded to a plane crash in the Adirondac's a few months ago. I think it was a small 2 place 152. By the time they arrived it was dark out. I know none of us would be caught in a situation like this unprepared, but the two people had no night time signal device. They really did a good job improvising. They used a camara flash to get the helicopter crew's attention.

REI, Campmor and others sell "featherweight" camping/backpacking mirrors that are flexible plastic, about as thick as a credit card, with a sighting hole in the center. I have one in a "large" tobacco tin for one kit, and one cut down for an Altoids-size tin in another.

Except to illustrate perhaps how to flash an aircraft on one horizon with the sun on the other?

As a geologist working in the remote north of Western Australia, I met a surveyor who had successfully flashed down a helicopter with his watch face thinking it was his ride.<br><br>(Turned out it was working for a rival company but they boiled the billy and had a cuppa and a yarn anyway.)

The flat face of a mobile phone has been used also.