15-10EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONHOW TO USESignal mirrorThe mirror is an effective device when the sun isshining. Rough water makes focusing the mirroron a rescue ship or aircraft difficult. If the mirror islost or is unusable, make another one from a pieceof shiny metal.To signal with the mirror—1. Punch a cross-hole in its center.2. Hold the mirror about 3 inches in front of your face and sightthrough the cross at the ship or aircraft. The spot of light shiningthrough the hole onto your face will be seen in the cross-hole.3. While keeping a sight on the ship or aircraft, adjust the mirroruntil the spot of light on your face disappears in the hole. Thebright spot, seen through the sight, will then be aimed directly atthe search ship or aircraftNOTEThe survival kit contains instructions for using the mirrorDistress signal kitThe signal kit contains 12 (Mk 13 Mod 0) distresssignals for day and night use and for providingwind drift information to helicopters rescuingpersonnel. One end of the signal tube produces anorange smoke for day use; the other end producesa red flare for night use. You can identify the nightflare end in the dark by a series of small beadlikeprojections embossed around it. Each signal willburn for approximately 18 seconds.To use the signal—1. Select the proper flare, tear off the sealing tape from aroundthe end of the cylinder, and remove the plastic cap to expose ametal pull ring (fig. 15-7). (Only the night end of the flare has ametal ring; the smoke [day] end does not have the ring.)2. To ignite the MK 13 signal, grasp the pull ring and flip it overthe rim of the signal case, as shown in view A.3. Press down the overhanging ring with your thumb until theseal snaps, as shown in view B. (If the seal refuses to snap,continue pressing on the ring so that it bends over the rim andagainst the signal body, as shown in view C).4. Flip the ring back to the top of the signal and press down, asshown in view D, using the bent pull ring as a lever.5. After the seal breaks, point the signal away from your faceand body and give a sharp yank on the pull ring.6. Hold the signal at an angle of approximately 45from thehorizontal position with your arm fully extended. The contentsare hot, so take care not to drop any of the contents on yourselfor the lifeboat.7. After using one end of the signal, cool it by dipping it inwater; then save it until you use the other end. Make sure thedistress signal is cool before storing it.Dye markerThe dye marker shown (fig. 15-8) produces abrilliant yellowish-green fluorescence when it issubmerged in water. Under good conditions, thedye will be a good target for only about 1 hour, butit will retain some of its color for up to 4 hours.From an altitude of 3,000 feet, a rescue plane maysee the dye marker as far away as 10 miles. Therange decreases as the dye spreads or is diluted bythe water.See the front of the dye marker cover.
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