What is the purpose of the orange smoke signal?

The purpose of the orange smoke signal is to serve as a distress indication. When deployed, it generates a bright, dense plume of orange smoke that is highly visible, especially against a backdrop of water or sky. This makes it an effective visual signal for attracting attention and signaling that someone is in need of help. In maritime contexts, the use of an orange smoke signal is recognized universally as a strong indicator of distress, thereby alerting nearby vessels or search and rescue operations to the emergency situation.

The other choices, while they pertain to the use of signals, do not accurately reflect the specific function of the orange smoke signal in distress situations. For example, signaling a friend does not align with the official protocols for distress signals, which have specific established meanings to ensure clear and effective communication in emergencies.