With the basics of medical care and shelter out of the way it's time to make sure you get located. It's unlikely that you'll find a phone out in the middle of nowhere to dial 911 so scratch that of the list. The cell phone you have with you may or may not hit a cell tower. Over the years, I have seen some lucky folks get a cell signal from places we know should not have had cellular service. Some say text messaging works even if the phone function does not. Get high up if possible and give it a try. You have nothing to lose. We have also learned that texting a potential lost person could be received even if they could not get a text message out. So if you are lost you could get chance message from search and rescue. A Sat phone or a or personal locator unit that uses the satellites for communication is a more likely bet to work.
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The more you can do to attract attention to yourself, the more likely someone will notice and come to your rescue. A signal mirror is the best all around signaling device. It can be seen for up to 50 miles. A mirror 4 inches by 6 inches is ideal, but smaller ones works nearly as well. A mirror will even work on bright overcast days and with moonlight, though with reduced range.
If you don't have a mirror at hand, it is easy to improvise one from any piece of metal (polish it with fine sand or dirt), tin foil, any shiny object like a credit card (particularly one with a hologram on it), bottom of a soda can or a compact disk. Be creative.
While authentic signal mirrors have an aiming hole and instructions on how to use it, any mirror can be simply aimed. Face your target and place your outstretched hand just beneath it. Hold the mirror by your head so that the bright reflection or "fireball" shines on your hand. Now, tilt the mirror up and down rapidly, flashing the target. Flash any aircraft that you can see, no matter how distant, for as long as it is visible. Flash the entire horizon at regular intervals. Flares are of limited use; one shot affairs that you have to hope gets noticed during their brief moment of time. Save them until you are certain there is a good probability someone is looking or likely to notice. Fire aerial flares and set off ground flares or smoke signals well ahead of, and to the side of an aircraft. They will likely not be noticed if set off too far to the side or behind or straight ahead. Smoke signals may be better used to dye snow as a ground signal. Depending on the weather conditions aviation search crews may be flying at higher elevation for their safety.
Contrast is the key to ground signals. Size, angularity and motion all help attract attention. For ground signals, forget complicated symbols; just make a large "V" for immediate assistance or "X" if medical assistance is needed. "SOS" will work, but it is a lot more effort. Construct your signal using a ratio of six to one, a "V" with sides 12 ft by 2 ft. for example. Use brightly colored materials, brush, branches, rocks, logs, clear away ground cover to the dirt, stomp down the snow or otherwise create contrast and shadows.
When signaling by hand, a flag is far more visible than your arms and hands alone. Use flag material that standout among the background colors. Always wave wildly with both hands in and emergency situation. You don't want to be mistaken for somebody just giving a friendly wave.
A smokey signal fire is an excellent means of attracting attention. Black smoke is best and not likely to be confused with a campfire. This can be created by feeding your fire with greener branches and leaves, tires, engine oil and similar materials. It can be impossible or impractical to keep a signal fire going all the time. In that case, set up your signal fire so you can start it quickly. A signal fire is just that, keep it ready. Light it as soon as you hear or see something worth trying to signal. If the resources are available, three fires are an internationally recognized distress signal. Conserve your energy and worry about staying warm first.
