All of our survival kits come with those spiffy little mirrors, but besides using them for shaving in the morning or applying sunblock to our nose, do we really know how to use them?

Tony Nester, an outdoor expert of Ancient Pathways based in Flagstaff, Arizona, has written an informative and crucial article on how to signal for rescue - using mirrors and other methods - when you're lost in the outdoors.

Like other survival skills, signalling should be learned and practiced long before you set out for that wilderness hike. Tony puts the importance of signal knowledge right next to knowing how to make shelter, fire, and locate water.

Tony's article "Signaling for Rescue in the Wilderness" includes the following tips:

• Spread your gear out around you for "passive" signalling
• A CDrom can be used as a signal mirror
• Use the flash from a disposable camera at night
• Use signal fires with caution
  
  Read Tony's article to learn how to safely build a signal fire and much more. This is a great resource.