Because of course everyone has read the US Army survival manual......
There are international signs of course but strangely the whole world hasn't been trained in those - one or two handed wave makes no difference, if in doubt go down and have a look, that will clear things up quickly.
Lots of people wave at helicopters, especially SAR ones, because they are just pleased to know the area they are in is being patrolled.
When you see people waving and pointing, that would count as a clue that someone might be in distress nearby.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 17th Sep 2022 at 08:05.
Reason: Remove wind up sentence