Which phraseology indicates distress is being sought?

• A. PAN PAN
• B. ADVISORY
• C. MAYDAY
• D. SECURITE

Answer: (C)

Distress radiotelephony uses a signal that is spoken three times to indicate grave danger and a request for immediate help. The phrase is used to signal that life-threatening danger exists and that you need urgent assistance, so all stations give priority to the call. The phrase is explicitly for emergencies and is followed by identifying information and details of the emergency. The other terms signal different levels or types of communication: PAN PAN means an urgent situation requiring priority handling but not necessarily imminent danger; SECURITE is used to broadcast safety messages; ADVISORY refers to general information rather than a distress call. So the phrase that indicates distress and a demand for immediate help is the one repeated three times to request urgent assistance: MAYDAY.