The Other Day I Was Four-wheeling a nasty little trail when I had an enlightening experience. I was attempting to negotiate a four-point turn while traversing an extremely narrow switchback on a steep side hill. My Spidey sense was tingling so I jumped out of the Jeep to check things out. Walking around to the passenger side, I found the front tire of the vehicle just starting to break over the edge of a 100-foot drop-off. A few things immediately came to mind, a few choice words we can't print, and the realization, if I had a spotter, this wouldn't have happened.
After five or six nerve-racking maneuvers, the Jeep was backed safely out of its predicament. Two thoughts came to mind: I had just broken my golden rule about not wheeling alone, and a spotter is really important. Just about anyone can spot a vehicle on the trail. However, not everyone can spot in risky situations, where four-wheeling experience is needed.
There aren't any universally recognized hand signals on the trail, but everyone should know some basics. We've watched many people mindlessly waving their hands about, only confusing drivers. It is best to have one spotter you know well and trust and, between the two of you, to come up with some hand signals you'll remember. It will make your adventures safer, and you'll probably drive off the trail with far less vehicular damage.
Before you start a difficult...
Before you start a difficult obstacle ask someone to be your spotter, then you'll know whose hand signals to pay attention to. Likewise, offer to spot someone else. The stop, or freeze, signal is a clenched fist held straight up. Two hands are always better than one. The driver may not be able to see one hand due to the vehicle's position on the trail or your ability to stand in a clear location.
Always keep eye contact with...
Always keep eye contact with the driver. Spotting left and right is simple. Use a fully extended arm and hand; keep one arm positioned up high, and one arm low. Also, whether the driver can hear you or not, direct their movements in a loud voice. They may not be able to hear you but they might be able to read your lips.
To instruct the driver to...
To instruct the driver to move forward while keeping the vehicle's wheels straight, raise your arms up in this position. It's easy to transition from this position to a left or right turn, or a clinched-fist stop. To get the driver to back up, clinch your fists to get him to stop, then with both hands and index fingers point rearward.