SOS Signal

Distress Signal (also known as S.O.S. Signal and S.O.S.) is a recurring tribal challenge. It plays on the "survial" theme of the show by requiring tribes to construct a signal at their camp to attract attention from the air. It is one of the few challenges (and the only recurring challenge) where the winner is decided by an outside party.

Rules
Tribes must make a distress signal using any materials from the campsite. An Airplane pilot will judge the signals. The Tribe the pilot deemed with the most noticeable signal wins.

HIstory
This challenge was first used in, where it was known as SOS Signal. All castaways competed in the challenge. Pagong made a smiley and everyone moved around to get attention. The Tagi signal said "SOS, Tagi is Groggy" and its castaways wore yellow jackets and moved in sync. The pilot viewed both signals as great but Tagi's was more noticeable due to its castaways use of color and movement. Tagi won the challenge, winning themselves spices and a knife.

The challenge was reused in, this time for immunity. At Samburu, Silas Gaither suggested to build a giant SOS signal, using the thorn bushes surrounding the camp. However, Lindsey Richter got dehydrated and was unable to help. At Boran, The tribe decided to place it in a clearing. Kim Johnson used her acrylic paint luxury item to dye the mosquito nets. Everyone took their clothes off to make it more attractive, which Tom Buchanan placed a feather in his buttocks. When the pilot flew over the Samburu camp, he noted that their signal was too close to the bushes, and blended with the background, deeming it unnoticeable. Boran on the other hand, was deemed very attention-grabbing because of use of bright colors and the correct terrain. The plane dropped the Immunity Idol over the Boran camp.

The challenge was used again in  for tribal immunity. A boat captain judged the distress signals, and the tribe that made the better signal would hear his boat's horn near the winning tribe's camp, suggesting the tribe's victory. Prior to the Immunity Challenge, Rotu tribe lost their first Reward Challenge, which was for the right to loot items from the losing tribe's camp. The winning Maraamu tribe, took advantage of their privilege, and took as much items as they can. The reward proved very helpful for Maraamu, as they used their newly-acquired items to maximum effect. They torn down their lifejackets and used their foam as costumes and flags. Paschal English used his luxury item, the American flag as a winning addition. The Reward Challenge loss caused a heavy blow on Rotu tribe, who struggled make up a signal, as they only had black-colored tarps to use. The paltry Maraamu tribe won the challenge.

This challenge was used in  (here called S.O.S.) as an immunity challenge. Due to Ulong only having three members left, Koror had to chose only three to participate. Koror chose Katie Gallagher for creativity, Caryn Groedel for work ethic, and Gregg Carey for strength. Ulong dismantle their shelter to built the SOS signal, which was their tribe name "ULONG". The pilot noted how big the signal was, but because it was near the forest, it is was only visible when it is flown directly over. Koror took the challenge comically but seriously by spelling out "Got Food" and made a big arrow pointing to it. They supposedly tried to spark a massive bonfire, but failed to due so by time of judging. Despite that, the pilot deemed Koror's better because it was on the beach itself and visible to all. Koror won the reward in the form of canned goods, wine and fishing gear.

Trivia

 * All of the winning tribes had its season's winner and Runner-up on it at some point.
 * However, Vecepia Towery was on Rotu due to a tribe switch.
 * Its usage in Palau is the only time that the winning tribe had more castaways on it than the losing tribe (8 Koror- 3 Ulong)
 * Both times this challenge was for immunity, the yellow tribe won.