Safety, Fire & Survival · Distress Communications — MAYDAY

The spoken word that signals a distress (grave and imminent danger) call by radiotelephone is:

Explanation

MAYDAY (spoken three times) indicates grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. PAN-PAN signals urgency (no immediate danger to life), and SECURITE precedes safety/navigational messages.

Authority: ITU Radio Regulations; IAMSAR Manual Vol III

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