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#294130 - 11/09/19 05:01 AM Recent Signal Mirror Success? 3 Nov 2019 [Re: rafowell]
rafowell Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 258
Loc: Southern California
This article (including video) credits a signal mirror for the rescue of New Zealand woman Kushila Stein adrift in the Aegean sea north of Crete this Sunday:

"Fortunately, by using a mirror to reflect light, Kushila was spotted by the Greek Coastguard and was saved after two nights adrift."

Other articles cite the signal mirror was used, but not what the rescuers actually spotted:

The New Zealand Herald said: "She also pointed the small mirror she kept in her backpack at the sun to try and attract the attention of any planes that flew over." and "She had been located 55 nautical miles off the north of Crete about midday on Sunday."
The BBC said: "Ms Stein put a red bag on her head and used a mirror to attract attention, reports say."
Yet another report said: "Whenever a plane flew overhead, she pointed a mirror toward the sun, hoping to create a flash that would attract passengers' attention. "

The Daily Mail Australia article didn't even mention the mirror.
_________________________
A signal mirror should backup a radio distress signal, like a 406 MHz PLB (ACR PLB) (Ocean Signal PLB)

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#294132 - 11/09/19 05:24 AM Re: Recent Signal Mirror Success? 3 Nov 2019 [Re: rafowell]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
I always make sure I have a mirror or two along! Good links.
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#296439 - 06/21/20 12:53 AM Re: Recent Signal Mirror Success - 2018-05-22 [Re: rafowell]
rafowell Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 258
Loc: Southern California
I overlooked this rescue from May 22, 2018.

His hiking companion injured himself in the Grand Canyon,
and he used his PLB to summon help, but the helicopter
was having trouble spotting them. Per the PLB owner:

"The search and rescue team had a hard time spotting us from the air. I used a signal mirror and the pilot said that’s how they were able to locate us."

So - even if you have a PLB (and you should) the signal mirror is still a good idea!

Story here: https://www.acrartex.com/stories/tapeats-creek-arizona-usa
_________________________
A signal mirror should backup a radio distress signal, like a 406 MHz PLB (ACR PLB) (Ocean Signal PLB)

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#296440 - 06/21/20 01:01 AM Re: Signal Mirror Rescue 7/15/2015 Colorado - Gorske [Re: rafowell]
rafowell Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 258
Loc: Southern California
Regarding the 7/15/2015 rescue of Tim Gorske:
Tim Gorske's PLB was an ACR ResQLink, not a SPOT.
He tells his story here:
https://www.acrartex.com/stories/803eae6e-706b-4b79-8cb4-8c52574f3cec
_________________________
A signal mirror should backup a radio distress signal, like a 406 MHz PLB (ACR PLB) (Ocean Signal PLB)

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#296445 - 06/22/20 07:06 PM Re: Recent Signal Mirror Success - 2018-05-22 [Re: rafowell]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
I have a mini 1.5 x 1.5 mirror in my kit.

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#296736 - 08/07/20 04:33 AM 2020/06/28 Signal Mirror Success: Scotland McGowan [Re: rafowell]
rafowell Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 258
Loc: Southern California

[June 28, 2020, Scotland] 77 year-old George McGowan saved himself after a motorbike crash by flashing a police helicopter with reflected sunlight off the broken mirror from his bike. He spent 24 hours outdoors.

Safe, OAP biker who was lost for 24 hours... then found in a flash

Quotes from the Scottish Daily Mail:

"But luckily, quick-thinking George McGowan had seen the police helicopter as it searched for him, and snatched the broken wing mirror from his motor­bike to catch the sun and signal the pilot.

"The helicopter pilot {said} had he not done that they wouldn’t have seen him."

"Karen McGowan, a member of Mr McGowan’s family, thanked those who had taken part in the rescue, and said he was recovering in hospital."

{ if the link above is dead, use this Archived Link )
_________________________
A signal mirror should backup a radio distress signal, like a 406 MHz PLB (ACR PLB) (Ocean Signal PLB)

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#296737 - 08/07/20 06:41 AM Re: 2020/06/28 Signal Mirror Success: Scotland McGowan [Re: rafowell]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
An impromptu signal mirror is better than no mirror! It got the job done.
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#296738 - 08/07/20 01:38 PM Re: 2020/06/28 Signal Mirror Success: Scotland McGowan [Re: Phaedrus]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I almost always carry one. Not used that often, but very effective when needed.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief

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#298454 - 02/22/21 05:14 AM 2012/10/18 Signal Mirror Success: Off Sydney Aus. [Re: hikermor]
rafowell Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 11/29/09
Posts: 258
Loc: Southern California
[I seem to have overlooked this one at the time ]

Air Canada Flight Diverts to Find Missing Yacht

Passengers aboard an Air Canada 777 diverted to look for a distressed yacht near Sydney, Australia, checked out a GPS location from an emergency beacon at 4,000 ft altitude.

"The crew and several passengers spotted the yachtsman’s signal mirror"



Edited by rafowell (02/22/21 05:14 AM)
Edit Reason: Added missing space in title
_________________________
A signal mirror should backup a radio distress signal, like a 406 MHz PLB (ACR PLB) (Ocean Signal PLB)

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#298455 - 02/22/21 12:54 PM Re: 2012/10/18 Signal Mirror Success: Off Sydney Aus. [Re: rafowell]
Ren Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 522
Loc: Wales, UK
That's a cool story.

Do wonder how much bureaucracy and red tape had to be dealt with to get a passenger plane involved.

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