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Help Without Words: The Silent Hand Signal for Help

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in
  • SchuDS
A white line drawing on a green background shows three hands making different gestures, numbered one to three. The first hand is open, the second has the thumb bent into the palm, and the third has the fingers closed into a fist. Below this, in black text on a white background, are the words "Silent plea for help," followed underneath in smaller print by "ask for help in 3 steps." © Aneta Ewelina Jobcynska​/​TU Dortmund
In an emergency, words sometimes fail us. The silent hand signal for help offers a way to discreetly draw attention to a difficult or dangerous situation. For it to work, others must recognize the signal and know that it should be taken seriously.