Signalling by Single Flag, or Wig-wagging
The flag used is square with a smaller square of another color in the center. It may be either white with the smaller square red, or red with white. A good size for Girl Scouts to use is 24 inches square with the center 8 inches square, and the pole 42 inches long.
There are but three motions to make with the flag, and all start from position, which means that the signaller stands erect facing the person with whom she is communicating holding the flag perpendicularly in front of her.
Dot.—To make a dot, swing the flag down to the right and bring it back to Position.
Dash.—To make a dash, swing the flag down to the left, and bring it back again to Position.
Front.—The third motion is front, made by swinging the flag down directly in front and returning to Position.
In order to keep the flag from "fouling" when making the motions, make, by a turn of the wrist, a sort of figure 8 with the end of the staff, as shown in the picture.
In learning signalling try to master these motions first; then it is easy to put them together in letters. Make no pause between dots or dashes in a single letter, but have a continuous motion.
Indicate the end of a Letter by a distinct pause at Position.
Indicate the end of a Word by one Front.
Indicate the end of a Sentence by two Fronts.
Indicate the end of a Message by three Fronts.
