In case of mountaineering accidents, accidents on open waters and accidents in places which are difficult to access by land, aircraft are employed. The pilots and Search and Rescue (SAR) Units need to exactly know who does need help and who does not need help.

Wildly waving your hands is not a proper way to signal the need for help. It can be confused with a greeting.

A person in need for help should stand up straight and lift both arms sideways shaping the letter Y as seen on the picture. The letter Y stands for “YES” and signals that help is needed.

In case no help is needed, one should stand up straight and also sideways lift the right arm upward, while the left arm is pointing downward. This posture resembles the letter N and signals “NO” help needed.

パイロットは事故現場（山岳事故が多い）の誰が救助が必要なのかを知る必要があります。手を振ったり、こちらに来いというサインでは、上空を飛ぶパイロットへの単なる挨拶と思われかねません。ヘリコプターが近づくと救助が必要な者は、まっすぐに立ち両腕を頭に沿って斜め外に上げます。これでYの字型を作り、これは「Yes」のYを示し、救助が必要というサインです。

救助が必要でない場合は、「No」のNを示すために右手を斜め上に上げ、左手を斜め下に下げます。