HELP is one of the most important words to know in Morse code. While SOS is the official international distress signal, HELP is a clear, direct word that any English-speaking rescuer will understand immediately. Knowing how to signal HELP could save your life.
Emergency reminder: In a life-threatening emergency, always use SOS (··· — — — ···) as your primary distress signal — it is internationally recognised. Use HELP as a secondary or supplementary signal.
Memory trick: H-E-L-P starts with the same two letters as HELLO (H, E). Once you know HI and HELLO, the first half of HELP is already in your muscle memory. Just add L (·-··) and P (·--·).
Flash HELP in Morse: ···· · ·-·· ·--· — four dots, one dot, dot-dash-dot-dot, dot-dash-dash-dot. Pause 3 seconds between each transmission and repeat.
Four short blasts (H), one short blast (E), dot-long-short-short (L), dot-long-long-short (P). Any rhythmic sound-maker works.
If trapped, tap on pipes, walls or floors. Four quick taps, one quick tap, tap-knock-tap-tap, tap-knock-knock-tap. Rescuers trained in search and rescue recognise Morse patterns.
Stamp or lay out HELP in large letters (minimum 3m tall) visible from the air. Use rocks, logs, clothing, or dig into snow. High contrast is critical — dark material on light ground or vice versa.