Signaling others (the means to signal without the use of radios)

These are the 5 methods of communication without radios covered in this article.
• Colored Fires
• Smoke Signals
• Flares
• Flashlights and Morse Code
• Possible Written Codes

This is a general overview of each of these methods along with examples of how you can use each. However, further customization by your own group is encouraged, to allow the message to be unrecognizable to outsiders.

Colored Fires

Adding one of a group of specific chemicals to a fire will change the color of the flames, allowing a night-time signal that can last for several hours. Warning: Chemicals are toxic when first working with them. Be cautious and do not ingest. Wear eye protection and cover the hands with rubber/latex gloves. Wash hands afterward. If any chemicals get on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Pros

• Can be seen for miles if fire is of good size
• Lasts longer then flares and does not necessarily need to be tended
• Can be seen at night

Cons

• Cannot pass on details, just general messages
• Chemicals can be dangerous if not handled correctly
• Not as visible in daytime
• Some of these chemicals can be hard to come across. Most of those listed give the most common sources, but all of the different chemicals you could use are listed. There are internet sources listed for the harder to obtain items; it is recommended that a survivalist stock up on some of these chemicals before the impending zombie apocalypse.

There are 2 ways to introduce the substances to the fire:

1. Add chemicals straight to fire as it is burning (this is the more dangerous of the two and will only last for a minute or two)
2. Pre-prepare chemical infused

How to prepare infused logs:

1. If the chemical is in liquid form, skip to step 3. If the chemical is water soluble, fill a bucket with water.
2. Stir the chemical into the water until the mixture is super saturated. (Until no more of the agent will dissolve)
3. Add pine cones, sawdust, ground cork, dryer lint, shredded cloth, etc and mix well.
4. Let the materials soak in the chemical mix for several hours or overnight.
5. Spread the pieces out to dry. (After they’ve dried simply add them to your bag for quick use on the road. You can use paraffin wax or wood glue to bind the material into blocks, which will burn slower and last longer.

List of the chemicals needed and what color they turn:

(note: chemical names link to their MSDS list with more information on them.)

Color : Carmine

Chemical : Lithium Chloride

Signal : Group members infected, stay away

Where can you buy it? : The Science Company, an online retailer (The Science Company) is a link for this chemical.

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Color : Red

Chemical : Strontium Chloride

Signal : ALT: Members infected stay away

Where can you buy it? : Stores that specialize in rocketry or firework supplies or a chemical supplies store.

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Color : Orange

Chemical : Calcium Chloride (a bleaching powder)

Signal : Zombies nearby will be coming in hot

Where can you buy it? : Automotive and hardware stores, primarily used to absorb oil spills.

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Color : Yellowish Green

Chemical : Borax

Signal : Military Spotted

Where can you buy it? : This can be found in a grocery store under the laundry detergent aisle.

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Color : Green

Chemical : Copper Sulfate or Boric Acid

Signal : ALT: Military spotted

Where can you buy it? : This can be found in the pest control section of stores like Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware, and Home Depot. It is also used in the treatment of several fish ailments; it's available in powder form in any fish store.

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Color : Blue

Chemical : Copper Chloride

Signal : Marauders or Gangs

Where can you buy it? : Perhaps the hardest chemical to locate. Find it in a chemical store or a fireworks shop, or The Science Company online (The Science Company )

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Color : Violet

Chemical : 3 parts Potassium Sulfate, 1 part Potassium Nitrate (saltpeter)

Signal : Found survivors, bringing them in.

Where can you buy it? : Potassium nitrate is commonly known as saltpeter and can be found in many gardening supply stores. Potassium sulfate is a common aquarium fertilizer and can be found at most pet stores that have a large collection of fish (including some Wal-Mart’s)

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Color : Purple

Chemical : Potassium Chloride

Signal : ALT: Found survivors, bringing them in.

Where can you buy it? : Local home improvement stores like home depot have it in bulk.

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Color : White

Chemical : Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts)

Signal : Injured members, send medic/help.

Where can you buy it? : Epsom salt can be found at any drug store.

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Additional Notes

Chemically colored fires should NEVER be used to cook food or disinfect water. Stay clear of the smoke created by burning chemicals, as the chemicals and/or smoke may be hazardous to your health. The fires should be made high up on a hill in order to ensure visibility.

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Smoke Signals

Smoke signals have been used by ancient Chinese guards along the Great Wall of China, and American Indian tribes to relay the outcome of a battle or request reinforcements.

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Pros-

• Highly visible in daylight
• Simple to set up and use
• Visible from long distances

Cons-

• Not visible during the nighttime
• Unable to convey any but the most simple of messages
• The signaler must remain at the fire while waiting for confirmation that the message was received.
• The signal fire must be visible from long distances, eliminating the ability to remain hidden.

How To:

1. Create a fire in an open area high up on a hill or mountainside.
2. Add damp moss, leaves, and green sticks to the fire to smother it, creating lots of dark smoke.
3. Soak a blanket in water (To make sure it will not catch on fire) and place it on top of the fire in until the line of the smoke fades.
4. Remove the blanket for a quick second and then replace it releasing a puff of smoke.
5. Repeat as many times as necessary leaving a full minute in between the repeating of the message.

Decoding Smoke Signals:

One puff -- Sending a single plume of smoke would commonly be an attention signal. This meant that something unusual was going on, but there's no cause for alarm or imminent danger. It was commonly a sign to watch for further signals.

Two puffs -- A two puff signal meant that all was well and that camp was established and safe. It indicated that they would stay at their current location until further notice. If the camp was more permanent, a continual two puff message was sent to let neighboring bands know that permanent camp was near and safe. It was an important message, as Native American tribes often moved camp according to the seasons, the availability of resources and for safety.

Three puffs -- This is an alarm signal. Indians warned of approaching enemies or marked the beginning of a battle with this signal. Continuous single columns of smoke indicated greater danger and a call for help.

Four Puffs -- This could be used as a sign of infection in the area.

Flares

Flares are pyrotechnic devices used for centuries, as far back as the ones used on old shipping vessels back when wind power was the only form of crossing the pond. There are several different types of flare.

Flare Types:

Flare Guns- Pistol-like devices used to fire projectiles that emit a blinding light without an explosion.
Hand Held Flares- This short tube-like device emits a bright light on the end of it and can be moved around in pre-established motions to convey messages.
Aircraft Flares- These ultra hot flares are used more as a deterrent to heat seeking missiles than as a means of communication; however, if this is all you have, then this is better than nothing.

Pros-

• Can be seen for miles at night
• Light and relatively inexpensive
• Not constrained to open areas (i.e. can be used in the woods or amongst buildings)

Cons-

• Can only relate a single message if in conjuncture with a flare gun
• Low visibility during the day
• Illegal in some areas

Directions for hand held codes-

If using a hand held flare you can move it in a predetermined motion in order to relate messages. Here are some of those codes:
Semi circle- Caution (zombies or Marauders are spotted in area)
Full circle- Stay or stop (could be used by base if infected have overrun the facility)
Single Vertical slash- Stay quiet and move slowly (large horde in area)
Single Horizontal slash- All clear; come in as ready

Flash Light Morse Code

With the right type of flashlight you can relay complex messages across moderate to large distances depending on visibility.

Pros-

• Can be used to relay complex messages
• Light and simple to use (as long as you know the codes)

Cons-

• Not as visible as other methods
• Not visible in daylight

Type of flashlight needed:

3500 lumens or more is needed (http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html is a good choice)

Morse Codes:

Or find it at this link: http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2008/10/morse-code.jpg

Possible Written Codes

When visiting a building, I thought that using either spray paint or a permanent marker to mark the building could be used to relay information to other survivors. FEMA and Firefighters have used this strategy for years to mark whether there are survivors in the building, when the building was last checked, whether or not there is a hazardous situation inside, and which task force have searched the structure. Lower in the article I have placed my own versions of what signals we could post, but for those who would rather use an official group's signals, FEMA's signals are included here:
http://www.lakesumterems.org/wp-content/uploads/storm-tfms.pdf .
One thing I like about FEMA's system is the additional notation they add to the symbols to further summarize the structure's contents. Post Z-day, we could add something along the same route, only using Z for Zombies and S for Survivors.

Pros-

• Quick and simple to do
• Easy to decipher
• Save someone scrubbing off the markings, they will last for years

Cons-

• Must be right up on the building to see it

Here is a list of possible signals I have come up with:

Someone is Inside

Zombies Inside

Sanctuary

Raided some supplies supplies still available

Raided for supplies No Supplies left

Medical Personnel inside

Help Needed Survivors inside

Work Cited

I would like to thank Chilbert for his help with pointing me to a couple articles about written signals and Pennsylvania and CaptainRads for their editing help and continued patience.

Smoke signals
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/wilderness/how-to-send-smoke...

Colored Fire
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/a/aa052703a.htm
and by popular demand a video demonstration of this
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/701569/how_to_make_colored_fire/

Flares
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/reviewpages/boatusf/project/info2f.htm

Flashlight Morse Code
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/10/09/morse-code/
http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html

Written Signals
http://www.lakesumterems.org/wp-content/uploads/storm-tfms.pdf
http://backstepfirefighter.com/2009/12/01/x-rated-firefighting/