If you are a beginner hiker or adventurer in the wild but still unsure what is a signal mirror, you have come to the right place. As this small but powerful accessory has saved the lives of hundreds of people, it has become a must-have in every adventurer’s backpack. But what exactly is a signal mirror, and how does it work? Check it out in the continuation of this article!
What Is a Signal Mirror?
Although it may sound super simple and not very convincing, if properly constructed, a signal mirror can draw someone’s attention to you, resulting in saving your life while out in the wild.
Namely, a signal mirror is a must-have accessory in every hiker’s, camper’s, or even extreme biker’s backpack. This tool is basically a flat, shiny, mirrored surface designed to act as a reflective signaling device in emergencies and distress.
Another important fact you need to know is that the more advanced signaling mirrors include a small hole through which you can peep with your eye for better accuracy and target aiming.
Additionally, if you find yourself stranded or lost and do not have this particular tool, you can always try and use any reflective flat surface you might be carrying with you. Such reflective surfaces include credit cards, the screen of your smartphone, stainless steel plates, handheld GPS devices, etc. but do not expect the same effects as a genuine signal mirror would have.
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What is a signal mirror made of?
First and foremost, it is important to disclaim that a regular mirror can not be used instead of a signaling mirror as it will not be as effective and powerful. The reason behind this is that the signal mirror is usually made out of specific materials, such as durable polycarbonate with an extremely shiny and reflective surface.
That said, although you can use some other shiny object as an alternative to a signal mirror, they will not be as reflective as a real signal mirror designed for this purpose only.
Parts of the signal mirror
After we have seen what materials the signal mirror is made of, it is time to see which components every well-designed and high-quality signaling mirror comes with.
First, every signal mirror on one of the corners has a small hole so that you can attach it to your keys or keychain and hook it on your backpack, wear it around your wrist, or even hook it on your pants.
Then, if the signal mirror is of the highest quality, it comes with a meshed hole in the middle that serves as a feature to improve your aim and accuracy. When you signal with the mirror, you will need to peep through this hole with your eye and see exactly where the reflection is pointing towards. This way, you can adjust the mirror so that you can point the reflection exactly at the location you aim for with extreme accuracy.
How to properly aim and use the signal mirror
If you want your target to notice your sign of distress successfully, there are a few particular rules and steps you will need to follow so that you are noticed quickly. First, you must know how to aim properly and then how to actually use the signal mirror.
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How to properly aim the signal mirror
Clean your signal mirror
The first thing you will need to do is clean your mirror well so that there is no dirt, fingerprints, dust, or any debris on it. Even the smallest spot on it can reduce the reflection and accuracy significantly.
Position the signal mirror
After you ensure that your signal mirror is clean and spot and dirt free, you need to take it carefully with the tips of your fingers and hold it by its edges. Do not put your fingers on the reflective surface. Then, hold the signaling mirror about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in front of your eyes or glasses. You can reduce this distance even more, according to your personal preferences.
Once you find the right distance, close one of your eyes and, with the other, peep through the hole in the middle of the signal mirror. You will need to locate the mirror reflection on a nearby surface or your hand through this aiming hole. You will see the reflection as a very bright spot, sometimes even called a “fireball”.
How to use the signal mirror
When you have successfully seen your target through the aiming hole, it is time to aim the reflection at it. To do this, you will need to follow the next steps:
Locate your target
After you have located the mirror’s reflection, it is time to locate your target through the aiming hole on the signal mirror. To do this, you will need to tilt and turn the mirror until the target carefully is in the center of the mesh aiming hole, more specifically, in the clear part right in the center. If by any chance you lose the target, start over. This might take some practice and exercise.
Adjust the signal mirror
When you locate the target and see it through the aiming hole, you will need to keep turning and tilting the mirror until you bring the target and the reflective spot closer together within the mesh portion of the aiming hole.
Cover the target
Finally, after successfully bringing the target and the reflection spot closer, you can cover the target with the reflection by carefully moving the signal mirror and peeping through the mesh hole in the middle. Make sure you do not wiggle the mirror up and down or left and right but move it slowly and gently.
If there is no particular target in sight, you can always try to aim the signal mirror on the horizon multiple times, as the rescue teams are trained to notice these reflections.
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Conclusion
If you were not sure what is a signal mirror and how to use it properly, I hope that with the help of this article, you got all your questions answered. I made sure to include every little detail you need to know regarding signal mirrors so that the next time you want to try out and use this tool, you will know exactly how to do that!