11. Arrange rocks or large objects on a clear path to signal for help. In William Golding's novel 'Pincher Martin', the stranded man builds a figure out of rocks that can be seen by passing ships. The recognized mountain distress signals are based on groups of three (six in the UK). A distress signal can be three fires or piles of rocks in a triangle, three blasts on a whistle, or three flashes of a light, in succession followed by a one minute pause and repeated until a response is received. Three blasts or flashes is the appropriate response. If you are clear view of boats attempt to make a large red X.