SOS
Maritime emergency call
SOS is an international distress signal, originally used in Morse code because its pattern (three dots, three dashes, three dots) was easy to transmit and recognize.
Now SOS serves broadly as any urgent call for help: She sent out an SOS when the project fell apart.
The letters don't stand for anything, though "save our souls" is a popular folk etymology.
Radio emergency signal
- helpAssistance given
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- dangerExposure to harm
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
peril · alarm · panic · desperation · trouble · stranded · plight · predicament
Sudden bright burst
- beaconGuiding light source
- maydayRadio emergency signal
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- transmitTo send onward
frequency · transponder · satellite · strobe · whistle · mirror · smoke-signal · horn
Seafaring emergency responders
- lifeboatEmergency vessel for survivors
- helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
- lifeguardPaid swimming supervisor
- survivorOne still alive after
evacuation · salvage · recovery · extrication · medevac · airlift · flotation · locator
mayday
Radio emergency signal
crisis · peril · alarm · panic · desperation · trouble · stranded · plight · predicament · jeopardy
flare
Sudden bright burst
transmit · frequency · transponder · satellite · strobe · whistle · mirror · smoke-signal · horn
coastguard
Seafaring emergency responders
- lifeboatEmergency vessel for survivors
- helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
- lifeguardPaid swimming supervisor
survivor · evacuation · salvage · recovery · extrication · medevac · airlift · flotation · locator
telegraphy
Electrical long-distance messaging
- codeSymbolic communication system
- transmissionSending of information
- wirelessUntethered signal transmission
radio · operator · decode · Titanic · maritime · radiotelegraph · shortwave · Marconi · keying
shipwreck
Destroyed vessel at sea
capsized · grounded · collision · davit · bilge · Titanic · seafarer · vessel · naval
- emergency responsefirst responders, emergency services, fire alarm, 911, call 911
- ABBADancing Queen, Waterloo, Fernando, Chiquitita, Voulez-Vous
- Alarm Expressionshelp, mayday, oh no, watch out, look out
- asking for helpplease help, help me, lend a hand, help wanted, mayday
- CastawaysRobinson Crusoe, castaway, Gilligan, shipwreck, stranded
- emergency rescue911, CPR, ambulance, paramedic, paramedics
SOSall clear
Signal danger has passed
safe and sound · out of danger · secure · standing down · false alarm
- SOS signalsEmergency calls for rescue