Rescuers have been the main feature of the landscape in the days after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico on Tuesday. Hand gestures and signals have becomea a key form of communications in areas where noise can become overwhelming.
A clenched fist has become the most recognizable hand gesture which is meant to ask for complete silence in order for rescuers to be able to listen for any signs of life.
Rescuers are using thermoimaging equipment as well as highly sensitive microphones in order to locate possible victims still trappedunder the rubble.
When a victim has been rescued, there has been an eruption of joy an applause at different sites, a stark contrast to the defeaning silence when a dead body is pulled from the rubble.
El trabajo de los rescatistas es invaluable, podemos ayudarles conociendo y difundiendo sus principales señales. pic.twitter.com/6jYvpTzVHt
— Claudia Ruiz Massieu (@ruizmassieu) September 21, 2017
An open palm means that no one should move while one finger up in the air means that work should resume and both palms open means that rescuers need water.
This signals have been key for rescuers to do their work effectiveley and have led to the rescue of several victims.
