A user device may be used to communicate a message to a rescue vehicle, such as a helicopter, an airplane, etc. A user may provide the user device with message content data, such as a name, a description of a geographic location, whether the user is in need of medical attention, etc., and the user device may create a message pattern based on the message content data. The message pattern may correspond to a machine-readable code, such as a Quick Response (QR) code. The message pattern may be copied to a display panel of a display kit, which may include dimensions suitable for displaying the message pattern to a rescue vehicle in a manner that enables the rescue vehicle to translate the message pattern back into message content data for the effective deployment of search and rescue resources and/or for notifying individuals concerned with the welfare of the user.