What is the internationally recognized distress signal used to indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency?

• A. Mayday
• B. SOS
• C. PAN-PAN
• D. Help

Answer: (A)

Distress signals in radio communications are standardized to ensure fast, unambiguous help when lives are at stake. The signal used for an immediate life-threatening emergency is Mayday. It’s the international voice distress call, spoken three times in a row—Mayday, Mayday, Mayday—and then the caller identifies themselves, their location, and the nature of the emergency, so rescuers know exactly what’s happening and where to respond. This wording and procedure are reserved for situations where lives are at risk and immediate assistance is required.

SOS is a well-known historical distress signal in Morse code, and while recognized, it isn’t the formal voice call for imminent danger in contemporary procedures. PAN-PAN indicates an urgent situation but not one that is life-threatening. A generic word like “Help” isn’t a standardized distress signal and wouldn’t automatically prompt the prioritized response Mayday conveys.