3 shots for help

[brandoro]

Yes, 3 deliberate, equally timed shots would get more peoples attention.

It's that unnatural sounding sequence that makes it an effective international distress signal. For it to be most effective it should be repeated as often as possible, with a pause in between. Could also be done with a flash light, a whistle, a car horn or banging on a pot/pan etc.

JB

That's what I was taught, three anything. Toots on a horn, flashes of light, three whistles. Three of anything means go see who is making that signal.

 

[Jay4200]

Having just mentioned this on the "chain saw chaps" thread, I am curious how many would realize that a quick series of 3 shots from a firearm means help is needed. Is that common to most or would many just wonder what it is?

Not common that I can recall. I'd probably start shooting back . Three quick shots is common enough during hunting season that I don't think anybody would notice.

JayC

 

[TripleR]

Too much shooting in my area to pay any attention, I have a pistol range in my back yard and no one pays any attention. My son had a SWAT unit at our other farm with full auto M-4's and one neighbor came over, but when he saw all the police cars he went home.

He had notified the Sheriff's Department in advance.

 

[LoveTheSmellofDiesel]

Was not aware of the 3 shots method, do now...thanks

 

[Car Doc]

I have to digress from my original statement and say it would depend on circumstances and location whether I would go investigate or not.

I cant think of a scenario that would make me go look but it hasn't happened to me yet so I cant say 100% certainty what I would do.

3 shots would be less than what I usually hear off in the distance around here normally these people dump whole 20-30 rd mags as fast as they can pull the trigger and pause long enough to stick another in so I stay away from those areas.

 

[bironacad]

I have a city friend who got lost last Fall, and repeatedly tried the "3 shots" SOS. Thankfully we found him before he ran out of arrows.

When I was a kid I had some arrows that whistled in flight maybe he should carry a few, lol.

 

[MarkV]

I thought the title meant 3 shots of whiskey...I don't normally need help after 3...but after 5, I might be a bit unsteady.

You and me both Roy! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

MarkV

 

[Zork]

We learned in Boy Scouts in the 70's it was 3 quick whistle blows and I guess 3 quick shouts/ yelling, claps, Et cetera.

Additionally, if I was injured in the wild I'd be a little hesitant to spend the rest of my ammo; of course if I had a firearm with me.

 

[hrcarver]

Three shots will not raise any eyebrows here. I used to shoot three shot groups all the time. Not rapid, slow deliberate shots. No one ever bothered to find me.

 

[The Haymaker]

Three shots will not raise any eyebrows here. I used to shoot three shot groups all the time. Not rapid, slow deliberate shots. No one ever bothered to find me.

That was just me sighting in another rifle. 3, deliberate, shots. In todays modern age of gmrs/frs, ham, Spot, and lastly (and unreliable) cell, I'd not rely on 3 shots.

BUT, if you've been there for a while and you know, or think, someone is actually looking for you because you dinner cooled on the able 8 hours prior, then it would become a useful tool.

 

[NorTracNY]

Isn't the saying "Things of 3 let them be"? Actually I'm aware of 3 of anything being the distress signal, but as I expected from this thread, not enough hunters are aware of it for me to check out 3 shots. If I heard 3 shots equally spaced and heard it repeated many times, I'd investigate.

 

[deereman75]

I have a city friend who got lost last Fall, and repeatedly tried the "3 shots" SOS. Thankfully we found him before he ran out of arrows.

:laughing:did the arrows help you find him:laughing:

 

[JB4310]

Isn't the saying "Things of 3 let them be"? Actually I'm aware of 3 of anything being the distress signal, but as I expected from this thread, not enough hunters are aware of it for me to check out 3 shots. If I heard 3 shots equally spaced and heard it repeated many times, I'd investigate.

Yeah I agree, most people would be very reluctant to report such an incident, if they were not sure, for fear of causing a wild goose chase.

BUT, if you've been there for a while and you know, or think, someone is actually looking for you because you dinner cooled on the able 8 hours prior, then it would become a useful tool.

Well at night or with a search party out looking for you, any shot is gonna attract all the attention you need. But it's not always easy to zero in on where a shot comes from though, at least they would know they were on the right track and would keep looking, hopefully.

JB.

 

[retiredmgn]

I have a city friend who got lost last Fall, and repeatedly tried the "3 shots" SOS. Thankfully we found him before he ran out of arrows.

I think I heard this one before.
But I can't remember, so it's funny all over again.

 

[Trafficman]

3 shots, then DUCK! In the DC area that would probably get 30 back, from every direction.
T-Man.

 

[Combustix]

In the mariners world a shot every minute until the bottles mt. Our a minute approximately if your sinking I guess your not going to time it.

 

[Toyboy]

I just don't think were conditioned to pay attention to that anymore. Now if your in the Canadian wilds or similar in Alaska, it would probably grab your attention.

 

[Egon]

After Three Shots of Vodka I might need a little help.:thumbsup:

 

[aluminum13]

I suppose I might be curious.

Now do people know when you flash your hi-beams 3 times to the opposing lane of traffic you are telling them "speed trap ahead"?

I've definitely seen people slow down after I send them that message, but most people either don't notice or don't understand.

 

[moored4]

I suppose I might be curious.

Now do people know when you flash your hi-beams 3 times to the opposing lane of traffic you are telling them "speed trap ahead"?

I've definitely seen people slow down after I send them that message, but most people either don't notice or don't understand.

I know what you mean! Also so if you turn you head lights off and back on twice your trying to tell the other person that they have a light out or no head lights at all! I had a friend (we pass each other on the road often) the other day tell me i had something wrong with my lights they kept blinking all the time. It's he whose left head light had been out for 2 weeks and had not notice it! At night when I drive in the drive way before getting out I flash my lights and check against the grage door!:thumbsup: