churdtzu t1_itkpowm wrote on October 24, 2022 at 11:11 AM

Reply to comment by birdieponderinglife in A train passenger saw a woman waving for help. It was a hiker who'd been missing. by guanaco55

I'm not familiar with the show. What would someone do with the shiny thing in that situation? Wave at a passing plane or something?

parsifal t1_itkzous wrote on October 24, 2022 at 12:50 PM

I’m not the commenter but I think with shiny things you can reflect sunlight at planes.

neuropean t1_itl11kk wrote on October 24, 2022 at 1:01 PM

Not just planes, can be used to signal any distance with open line of sight. If they see people off in the distance, it could be used for that as well.

parsifal t1_itl63b9 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 1:42 PM

Cool, good tip.

birdieponderinglife t1_itl7ond wrote on October 24, 2022 at 1:53 PM

Yep, to wave and get the attention of a rescue crew. Sometimes there is too much tree cover and that’s when something like a flare gun would be needed.