Abducted teen rescued after flashing "distress" hand sign to passing motorist

[jmbar2]

I'd never heard of this hand signal, but we all need to learn about it.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/missing-girl-saved-she-used-222257481.html

Link to tweet

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1430218446281875463%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2021%2F11%2F05%2Fhand-signal-help-tiktok-helped-save-missing-girl-sheriff%2F6304765001%2F

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

Never heard of this. Ty for sharing!

[2naSalit]

2. The sign info...

Should be posted regularly so that it remains visible. This is a crucial element in helping those who need to know this to find help and for those who can offer help should they see someone using it.

[jmbar2]

3. Agreed!

I'm surprised to be only learning of it now, but glad I did.

[NurseJackie]

31. It's new to me too.

Good to know!

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Agreed!

I never saw it before.
I'd hate to think I'd be in a position to notify authorities in such a situation & think a kid was just waving to me.
Should be much more widely known!

[2naSalit]

8. I wish there had been...

Such a thing when I was an abused child. Back then I was accused of being a precocious child for suggesting that my parents had issued that might embarrass them. And my dad was "such a nice man" in public that I was scolded for saying "terrible things" about him and that I should be thankful for my bed that I was worried about being raped in and for the food I get to eat.

I saw info about this earlier this year, glad it is getting more exposure. I know what I will do if I ever see anyone making that gesture.

[Mugu]

9. Agreed!

I also had never heard of this hand signal.

Thank you for posting!

[Orrex]

15. Hell yes!

Half of my job is driving, but I was unaware of these signs and could have seen them unknowingly dozens of times.

I need to educate my ignorant self.

[JudyM]

5. K&R for visibility.

[steventh]

6. The domestic violence hand gesture

1. Hold hand up with palm facing other person.
2. Tuck thumb into palm.
3. Fold fingers down over thumb. pic.twitter.com/gsIgSbXOmc

[2naSalit]

11. +1

Thanks for posting this.

[hlthe2b]

13. Your symbol is the Candian version; inexplicably the police would not say what signal she used.

But, this seems like a good one to remember, regardless and might well be the one that she used.

[ShazzieB]

29. It's the same signal.

It started in Canada, but it's being spread very widely through Tik Tok and other social media, and many in the U.S. and other countries have adopted it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_for_Help?wprov=sfla1

[hlthe2b]

30. I suspect that is true, but the police specifically refused to identify the symbol when asked if you

read the article. At any rate, it is one I will remember from here on out.

[spike jones]

27. It should be reconized when done with the hand down at the side for when raising a hand

might not be possible or dangerous?

[DFW]

7. Thanks! I had never heard of this. n/t

[malaise]

10. Will spread this

Lucky girl

[Joinfortmill]

12. Wow. Thanks for sharing.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

14. Good info, thanks. What was the deal with how to make a distress phone call?

Something like the distressed person calls 911 and asks to order a pizza?

These should be taught to every American and particularly to women, children and the elderly. The police and employees in stores like drive-throughs would seem to be particularly important.

[2naSalit]

16. That gives me an idea...

There are often signs in public restrooms with rescue info, this should accompany them. Also, workplace bulletins for public safety at work should have this info too, especially at places with drive-throughs.

ETA: AND HOTEL/MOTEL REGISTRATION DESKS!!

[jmbar2]

19. great idea!

[Decoy of Fenris]

17. K&R. This should be prevalent and "The Norm". n/t

[multigraincracker]

18. Thanks for the reminder.

I saw this a while ago and had already forgot what the hand signal was.
Please keep it in the news.
If it was on tv 1/10 of the time of most commercials, I'd have it down.

[bluecollar2]

20. Kick for exposure...n/t

[Totally Tunsie]

22. I've seen this signal before (on DU?), but this is a wonderful reminder.

Thanks for posting this valuable information.

[IronLionZion]

23. Good that the motorist understood

because I've never heard of this. Damn. It's good for people to know to look out for it.

[BlackSkimmer]

24. The police need to learn the difference between "discrete" and "discreet."

Big difference.

[Poiuyt]

25. I'd never heard of that before. Thanks!

[Disaffected]

26. A very good thing to know.

Another related signal that used to be fairly widely known but I'll bet has fallen into disuse is the three loud noises in quick succession. Such as, firing three quick gun shots if lost or in trouble in the woods. Or banging hard on something - anything to draw appropriate attention.

[Wounded Bear]

28. K & R...for visibility...nt

[Karma13612]

32. Quite Curious why the police

Seemed to think it wasn’t wise to share what the signal was/is.

If people don’t know what the correct signal is, then the signal is meaningless.

Thanks for posting this. Quite useful indeed. And it should be universal, not country or regional! People travel all over the world and shouldn’t have to try and remember a different signal.

[Grasswire2]

33. I'm astounded that so many here did not know of this hand signal. nt

[Karma13612]

37. Unless you come across

Certain information or become involved in certain situations, you might never be made aware of this or a million other really useful facts. It is really not hard to believe.

I have been seeing a counselor for domestic violence. Not once did she make me aware of this signal. And she has instructed me in several tactics to combat potential situations that I might find myself in. I find it hard to believe she did not share this signal with me.

As the old saying goes: “You don’t know what you don’t know”

[spanone]

34. ...K&R...

[Blue Owl]

35. K&R