Meanings Behind Secret Code Words That Could Save Your Life In An Emergency

Language is a funny thing. Just because someone says something that sounds like you should know what they’re saying doesn’t always mean we know what’s going on. Why? There’s a chance they could be talking in code. In fact, codes could be all around us without even realizing it.

Learning the code words that could save you in an emergency could be just the thing we need to ensure we’re not left in the dark. They might not be common, but they might be the difference between being in the loop - or not.

Pan-pan means there could be something wrong, but it’s not an emergency

If you hear the phrase “pan-pan,” then it might be time to hold onto your seat, just in case. This is a universal phrase that means that something urgent is happening in the vehicle, plane, or aircraft. Still, it’s not severe enough that it’s an emergency. Thankfully, this means that people’s lives aren’t in danger.

They just need others to know there could be an emergency on their hands, or they need someone to stand by just in case they need some assistance on their vessel. This means emergency services can be ready for when the aircraft lands or the ship docks compared to having to travel to the site for a rescue instead.

Ditch is used when the plane is about to land on water

If there’s one thing you probably don’t want to hear on your flight – especially if you have a fear of water – it’s the code word “ditch.” Yup, you guessed it, this means you’re probably about to land on the water. Thankfully, there are so many safety procedures in place to make sure people are kept as safe as possible.

Perhaps there’s a good reason to listen to all of those in-flight safety demonstrations after all? The phrase has been used so much over the years that it has even made its way into the dictionary. This will only be an option if there is nothing else the pilot can do, and it’s the safest way to land the plane.

Red parties are ways to tell crews there is a fire on the ship

Hopefully, you won’t ever be close enough to see a red party for yourself. It is a strange code word and one that has got many people guessing over the years. Does it mean that someone is throwing the party of the century? Maybe it’s a party with a strange dress code as everyone needs to wear red?

While they might be good guesses, they are far from the truth. Hearing a “red party” means there is a fire somewhere on board the ship. The code word will typically be followed by the location of the fire so that everyone can get it put out before it becomes a danger to the passengers and crew.

Code one is commonly used on trains to describe someone needing medical attention

It turns out that it’s not just planes and cruise ships that share code words. Trains also have a system of code words they share with other forms of transport. One that is used across all types of transportation is “code one.” This phrase means that someone is injured and they need medical attention as soon as possible.

It is more commonly used on trains and cruise ships as people are often on them for longer and have more freedom to move around than people traveling on planes. The crew just needs some help or someone with first aid training to get to the scene as soon as they can to attend to the patient.

Five days in Denmark can be altered depending on who flight attendants are talking about

While most of us want to keep ourselves to ourselves during our flight, others like to talk to others on the plane. So why do the flight attendants keep talking about their trip to Denmark when you’re not going there? Perhaps they are talking about somewhere else in the world, and you have no idea why?

It turns out it’s their code to speak to one another about passengers on the plane. The number of days is the row number of the passenger. The country, in this case, Denmark, marks the seat letter. So if you hear them talking about “five days in Denmark” and you’re in 5D, you want to listen up.

Code red is rarely used, but it means the plane needs to land immediately

While “code red” is one of the most serious warnings people can use on planes, the phrase often remains in the movies. That’s because it’s the worst of the worst. If you are up in the sky and hear “code red,” the chances are you will be landing pretty soon, as pilots will be allowed to land on most airstrips.

If they are over the ocean, then you might find yourself having a water landing instead. However, it is incredibly rare to hear this phrase. In fact, you are more likely to hear “code red” when you’re in the airport where there will be other safety procedures in place - but even this is still very rare.

Last-minute paperwork is one of the safest ways to tell passengers there’s a delay with the flight

Believe it or not, but “last-minute paperwork” is a code word that is used to talk to passengers rather than to other members of the crew. This is used when the plane is delayed for one reason or another, but the team doesn't want to tell passengers the real reason why they are currently waiting for the plane.

This is usually because there is nothing to worry about. Delays are generally short and out of the way before people know it. It could be that there is an issue with the paperwork, the maintenance needs to work on something on the plane before it takes off, or they need to balance out the weight.

Priority one or priority two are used on cruise ships to describe fires or small leaks

Sometimes, captains prefer to use broader code words rather than having specialized phrases for each different incident. Captains of cruise ships often have a lot to think about during their time behind the wheel. This means it can be tough to remember all the different phrases and what they could possibly mean every time they need them.

That’s why some prefer to use “priority one” or “priority two.” “Priority one” usually means there’s a fire on the ship. “Priority two” indicates there is a leak somewhere instead. Thankfully, it’s not uncommon for boats to have small leaks while at sea, but the crew is specially trained to take care of them before they become a major issue.

Mr. Sands is a code word for fires used in areas of London, including the Underground

You might have to travel across the pond to hear this one, but “Mr. Sands” is a code phrase that is most commonly used on London Underground lines. It doesn’t mean they have Mr. Sandman on the journey or there is an important person with an unusual name. Instead, it goes all the way back in time and has stuck.

It actually means there’s a threat on one of the underground trains or that a fire has broken out. There is a good reason they use “Mr. Sand.” Fires were typically put out with sand as it smothered the flames before fire extinguishers took its place. Fun fact: English theaters also use the same codeword for fires in the building.

Blue juice is a polite way for flight attendants to talk about the bathroom

Ah, flying. You can settle into your seat, watch some movies, and enjoy some food and beverages. It can be the perfect start or end to your vacation before you have to be a part of the real world again. If you hear flight attendants talking about “blue juice,” have no fear; this isn’t a new drink you’re missing.

They are actually talking about the bathroom. Rather than dirty the talk in the cabin to matters behind closed doors, most flight attendants try to be as discreet as possible. Sadly, you might want to hold off on a trip to the restroom if you hear talk of “blue juice,” as it usually means there’s an issue or mess. 

Different bell sounds on a plane mean different things depending on their timing and how many there are

As well as using code words, it appears plane crews also have a host of sounds they can use to communicate with one another. The great thing is that most people never think anything more of the sounds. If you’re coming in to land, have your seatbelt on, and hear one bell, this means the landing gear is being used.

The second indicates that the crew can get up from their seats to help passengers disembark. Three short bells tell the team they need to return to their seats for a message from the pilot, while five short bells warn the crew they need to perform an emergency evacuation. The best bit? Passengers usually have no idea.

Cabin crew, arm doors, and cross-check is a reminder to flight attendants to check the doors

If you’ve ever been on a plane, the chances are you have heard the phrase “cabin crew, arm doors, and cross-check.” While it might sound like something from the military, it’s not as sinister as it first appears. The “arm doors” part of the phrase is to make sure that the door handles have been turned to the ‘armed’ position.

This means the slides will automatically inflate if the doors are opened, as they need to be in this position while the engines are running. The “cross-check” part is to remind the cabin crew to check the doors in front of them. All in all, it’s less of a code word and more of a reminder to the attendants.

Operation bright star is used on cruise ships for medical emergencies

Cruise ships are pretty incredible. After all, they are just like floating cities that travel the ocean, meaning they have everything they need to make sure people are cared for while away from home for weeks, if not months at a time. So if you hear “operation bright star,” it means the team is taking care of a passenger.

Someone is most likely in need of emergency medical treatment, and all first aid-trained staff in the area need to get there as soon as possible. You just have to hope you don’t hear “operation rising star,” as this means that someone on the ship has passed away and they need to store their remains until the ship docks.

Mrs. Kate Fire Warning might be a fire warning to keep passengers calm

A fire warning is a warning that is often used by the US emergency services about wildfires in the area. So what about when it becomes part of a warning used on public transport instead? One passenger in Amsterdam was confused when they heard that “Mrs. Kate Fire Warning” needed to head to the front desk.

They asked the internet what it could mean, and many believed that it was a signal to security that there was an emergency - potentially a fire - that needed to be dealt with. Giving the warning a name hopefully meant that most people missed the alarm, so they didn’t have to cope with widespread panic at the same time.

Mayday is only reserved for the worst kinds of emergencies

This is a phrase that many of us have heard over the years, but what does “mayday” actually mean? Ship captains or pilots will only use this phrase in the worst kind of emergency. This is because they are worried that people could be about to lose their lives. However, it’s not just captains and pilots that use “mayday.”

In many countries, the likes of transport organizations, police officers, and firefighters all use the phrase, too. Did you know it comes from the French phrase “Venez m’aider”? This means “come help me,” but that’s not all. People say the expression three times in a row so that it’s not confused with anything else over the radio.

Using numbers for codes could mean there’s a hijacker or the radios are down

It turns out that being a part of the crew on a ship or plane has a lot more to learn than many realize, especially with safety codes. The code 7,500 is a transponder code that warns air traffic control there is the threat of hijackers on the plane or the plane has been taken over by someone else.

Another code is 7,600. This means there is a radio failure on the plane. One of the more common emergency codes is 7,700, that’s used as a general emergency code. Many flight attendants also say they agree on a new secret code before each flight in case they need to warn the captain about trouble.

Purell, Purell, Purell is only used on Celebrity Cruises when someone is sick

Some phrases are exclusively for ships, and “Purell, Purell, Purell” means you must be on a Celebrity cruise ship. The cruise liners use this phrase as a way to tell people there is someone who has been unwell on the boat and they need a cleanup crew ASAP. It’s repeated three times to make sure that no one misses it.

They use “Purell” because this is a popular brand of sanitizer that is used by many people around the world. Sadly, seasickness is something that has dominated many people’s vacations over the years, and it’s someone’s unlucky job to clear it up. Just be sure to steer clear of wherever they’re heading for a while.

Mr. Mob means someone has fallen over the edge of a ship

It can be easy to get a little carried away with your time on a cruise ship. Sadly, some people have gone so over the top that they literally go too far - and end up falling overboard. This is a huge emergency and means everyone needs to work together to ensure they’re safely found and pulled back onto the ship.

People can easily get caught in the current or the wake of the ship and end up lost. Thankfully “Mr. Mob” warns the crew that they’re needed. It stands for “man overboard,” but that’s not the only phrase they use. Some ships will also use the phrase “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” if someone has fallen into the water.

Code blue is used in Walmart when there’s a chance of an explosive

It’s not just forms of transport that have secret code phrases. Walmart is still the largest retail store company in the world - and they have got quite the lead in the competition. However, having so many stores across the world means they have written some code words of their own that all the staff needs to know just in case.

“Code blue” is one of the many on the list. This means there is a chance that someone has brought an explosive into the store, or one could have been planted. From there, it’s up to the staff to ensure that people quickly exit the building and call for emergency services before anything terrible happens.

Code green means that someone has been taken hostage in a Walmart store

There are many reasons that people head to Walmarts across the world. They often have great deals, and people can find themselves lost among the aisles for hours. One of the side effects is that all of those transactions taking place each and every day means there is often a lot of money in each of the stores.

Plus, there can be a host of other reasons that people want to keep people as hostages. If you hear “code green” in one of Walmart’s stores, then it means that someone has been taken as a hostage for one reason or another, and people need to find a way to help before anything terrible happens.

Code red simply means employees need to evacuate people from a fire in the building

Of course, an emergency in any kind of store means that people need to get out of the building and head to safety. Although many people never have to put their emergency training to use, all members of staff need to learn about what they need to do just in case something bad happens during their shift.

One of the many they go through is what to do in case of a fire. There will be special fire exits found across the store so people can get outside as quickly as possible. Then, it’s down to the emergency services to tackle the blaze. “Code red” merely means the team needs to put their fire training to use.

Code C is a polite way for cashiers to ask for help when dealing with a problematic customer

Not all code phrases mean something dangerous is about to happen. In fact, some are innocent and easier to say than having to call for people across the store. Take “code C.” This phrase means that someone else needs a member of the customer service team or a cashier to help them with an issue or a demanding customer.

Many of us have seen them. The ones that want to return an item even though they’ve had it for years or lost the receipt. How about the customer that wants a discount even though they have no coupons? If you hear a “code C” warning, then the chances are one of them is in the store.

Department 51 or code 300 both mean Walmart security needs to get somewhere quickly

Sometimes, those deals in Walmart are just too good that some people have lost their minds - or they have a built-up rage that is just waiting to burst out. Whatever the case, Walmart doesn’t want to become the next WWE ring and has plenty of members of security on hand to make sure that everyone is safe.

There appears to be no reason that the store uses two different code words to call their security team. Perhaps one means there is more of a danger? Whatever the case, calling for “department 51” or “code 300” means that security needs to get to the scene as soon as possible as something is about to go down.

Code white can mean something needs to be cleaned up somewhere in store

Some of us are a little more clumsy than others. Still, “code white” isn’t just reserved for customers. It’s also a code that is used if a member of staff needs some help or has knocked something off the shelf. It simply means there has been an accident that needs to be cleaned up ASAP.

The code phrase will typically be followed by where in the store needs to be cleared. Did you know that “code Adam” was actually thought up by Walmart? It tells others that there is a missing child. The phrase is now used by stores across the world as people need to be on the lookout for an unattended child.

Code orange is reserved for times that chemicals are spilled in Walmart

One of the many parts that come with working at Walmart is making sure that everything is kept clean and hygienic at all times. The store also sells a host of cleaning products that could be spilled. If you hear “code orange,” then it means there have been chemicals spilled somewhere around the store that need urgent attention.

It also means people typically need to bring a special set of cleaning products to make sure that everything is cleared up correctly, as it could be dangerous. However, the staff are normally used to dealing with all kinds of situations and know how to keep everyone safe and get things back up and running without anyone getting into danger.

Code brown refers to a major emergency involving someone with a weapon

If there is one thing that you don’t want to hear, it’s “code brown.” This is because it means there is someone with a weapon in the store, and they could be using it on people. In 2019, Walmart came under questioning about their sales of weapons or any ammunition, claiming they had always followed the law.

While Walmart claims to have been on the right side of the law, their stores have still been targeted. Walmart had already tightened its rules. In September 2019, it was announced even more rules were in place as they have now banned the sale of many weapons as well as refusing to allow customers to carry one inside.

Code black is Walmart's way of saying extreme weather is closer than they realized

Many people make sure they have everything they need at home in case there is an emergency - especially if they know there is a weather warning on the way. Walmart is one of the many stores that have winter weather plans in place to try and make sure that everyone stays safe throughout the extreme weather.

This means stocking up on food and water, as well as preparing the home with flashlights and blankets. However, “code black” means extreme weather could be closer than many thought. This is usually a tornado, hurricane, tsunami, or any other disaster that could strike in a matter of moments, and means people need to find safety as soon as possible.