Patrol Basics: The Art of Low-Tech Signaling

In this video Adam goes over the basics of signaling using non electronic or, “low-tech”, methods. He talks about the theory of signaling, and equipment used in various combat and survival applications.

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0:00 Intro
1:03 What is low-tech signaling?
5:06 VS-17 Panels
13:06 The Flying Squirrel
15:02 Hunters Tacks
17:04 Chem Lights / Glow Sticks
20:15 Signal Mirrors
22:03 Glowing Gaffers Tape
24:06 Smokes
26:43 Flares
28:21 Audio Signaling
29:40 Whistles
30:52 Clicker "Airborne Cricket"
31:57 Hand and Arm Signals
34:18 Codes and Runners
35:55 Outro

Army Signaling Manual

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Music License: MB01T5GENKUVNYB

[SpiritusSystems]

Mastering the techniques this video should be a prerequisite to owning any electronic battlefield comms tech. It doesn't matter if you run a Baofeng or an MPU5, this knowledge forms the basis for for a good comms plan. What are you doing to add redundancy to your radio systems?

[SUnderground]

The USMC panel is for thermal optics. Officially called the TIP, Thermal Identification Panel manufactured by Cejay Engineering. A similar product is the Battlefield Reference Marking Systems or BRMS panel. Also called the VS-21 panel. The coyote side is translucent to certain sensors, and if you cut one open underneath that is basically a mylar space blanket. If I remember correctly, a common SOP is to angle the panel at a 45 degree angle, so that aerial platforms can see the "cold spot" from the air, as the material will reflect the cold atmosphere like a mirror. Similar panels exist for use during tank gunnery registrations to boresight the gun. These have been in limited use by various units for many years (who were lucky enough to get them), mostly as a way of IFF for vehicles or static locations. I should also note that you can spray paint patterns onto the coyote side, which will warm up in the sun (or at least not reflect the cold atmosphere). Very handy way for signaling specific messages to assets overhead, that are looking at you with thermal sensors.

[jlew]

I just whisper “are you on my team?” and the events just play out from there

[MountainManeuverist]

For urban environments zip ties are great for marking. You can carry a lot of them, get them in many colors and they can get attached to things or just dropped on the ground as markers.

Also, grease pens for marking doors walls and ground. Learn FEMA markings and hoboglyphics.

For panels you can buy a tarp and cut it up. Blue used to have a specific meaning for us so we cut up blue tarps into 2x2 foot squares and attached a blue chem light with cordage. That gave us blue day and night signals.

[strategic_confusion]

I think one of my favorite things about this channel is that it’s one of the few in this space where the microphone isn’t so overproduced to the point I can hear the saliva moving in the back of the speaker’s throat. Perfectly concise compression, I’m here to listen for info about gear and SOPs, not pickle eating ASMR

[wodinloki]

non electronic means are so underrated. flares of all types, smokes, signal mirrors, lights with colored lenses, some armies used firing rounds off as signals etc.

[Project_Tribe]

I used to carry what I called a “signal loop”. It had an IR Chemlight, vis Chemlight, whistle, and strobe on a lanyard. Allowed me to use whatever I needed for a buzzsaw, or strobe, whistle, etc. kept it all in one spot, hand to lose

[Coppersaguaro]

Stationed at NTC, we went through a lot of chem lights. Good times.

[jastrapper]

I always like the powder blue 55 gallon drum liners of moderate thickness. That piece of material can serve as a poncho a ground sheet storing ALOT of water, shelter, waterproofing a ruck, etc etc. the uses are endless. The reason for a light blue is it stands out in all environments. In the Fall in Michigan where I grew up during the fall… there are TONS of bright colors because of the deciduous forests. Hunters orange always does stand out but with all the red and orange leaves… that blue color stands out. Nothing in nature will ever be that color blue but you will get a lot of the oranges and reds. I have the same mentality with choosing a bic lighter (white and black or a lot of the colors will be lost if dropped in the dark or in snow or in bright leaves from the trees. Blue stands out. I suspect the USMC went with a camo color on one side so you can use it for other purposes. Like sitting on in the snow or as insulation under a sleeping bag. Just a guess. When I was in we just had the old VS17 panels. We were some of the very first to ever get issued the “glint tape” for reflecting IR. They were little rigid plastic do dads that you slide into the slits in a standard issue helmet liner (at that time they were the new digital with pre sewn slits already in the cover). We also went from pluggers during the initial invasion of Iraq to getting Garmins which was awesome. Whistle, smoke, signal mirror, surveyors flagging tape, tin foil, signal fire, hand signals, light signals (like how to “ground guide” an armored vehicle at night with a red or white lens) with flashlight or chemical light, pen flares, m203 40 mm star clusters, 40mm smoke, 40 mm parachute flares, man pack radio, intra squad radio, Thermal “friend or foe” square panels on vehicles, MRE heaters for thermal waypoints, “blazing trees” with a machete or saw or axe to create a series of patrol waypoints, Chemlights and spray paint and engineering tape for clearing huge structures like hotels (which we did), IR laser or visible spectrum laser, small wrist compass and GPS for sending quick radio traffic or more detailed positional info through the radio, hmmm I think that’s about all I can think of as far as “signals” for a Marine Infantryman. Signs in foreign languages for convoys and phrase books to get directions or help from non English speakersOh one last one. I am of the opinion that ever leadership billet should have a full magazine of tracers. They work great for putting hole in bad guys but they also work great for quickly and efficiently directing fire onto a specific target (say a specific window you want your machine gun to fire on). Thanks for the video.

[jastrapper]

I toured Europe. Took the path of the Allied Powers from D-Day. United Kingdom to France to Germany to Austria then to Italy. I bought one of those “clickers” while visiting the beaches of Normandy. It’s a little piece of metal but a lot of history behind it. Awesome video.

[zoltannagy]

Outstanding "back to basics" Adam. I'm a huge fan of the get found quickly concept to rescue.

[OntarioBearHunter]

Tacks, survey tape, fluorescent marker, etc I use all the time for marking my property and can be used for leaving messages based on size, direction, combinations etc.

[HayasaTribe]

"Like before watching" is a must for these series

[Dirigo.Development]

how sounds and smells travel more in certain environments and temperatures would something i am definitely interested in learning more about.

[wdtriplett]

@9:00 the best way to leave messages, I was a forester for many years. We used the poly roll flagging to mark distance and direction in case we never returned to our vehicle.

[jamesbridges]

Good to see some of this coming back. In addition to whistles, air horns are great- it used to be pretty common to see them from squad to platoon leader. Chalk and spray paint( small testors cans) - from simple "went/go this way" to elaborate like hobo code.

[NiMi]

An alternative to hunters pins are reflective slap bracelets (used for runners or bike frames for going out at night) -they can secure to objects in the field, and unlike hunters pins they come in different colors for marking. I keep a few in my trauma bag to mark casualties

[VBlasphemyV]

good point on the chemlights, i feel like alot of people don't realize how useless they are if you leave them on your belt exposed, eventually they get to the point you snap them and nothing happens.

[Azborder]

I always look forward to these videos. I’ve never served in the military but find these videos valuable for being better prepared. Thank you for putting these together, it’s very appreciated

[gabrielchatwin]

consistently the best easily digestible information for preppers/Mil/hobbyist's out there. now i need to revamp my roadside kit.