If the tapping sound or flashing light represents morse code, there's always someone around that can interpret the message. When Morse Code is used, the interpreter will call out words as they are being sent, rather than letters. Furthermore, a single word is represented by a few "beeps", and all words are sent at the same rate, no matter how long the word is.
Example:
beep-beep-be-beep...
"Help..."
be-be-beep beep...
"Us..."
beep-be-be-beep beep...
"We're..."
beep beep-be-beep...
"Surrounded..."
be-beep beep beep...
"Send..."
be-be-be-beep beep...
"Reinforcements..."
beep be-beep beep...
"Hurry..."
etc.
A message in Morse Code will start several seconds before someone actually interprets it; however, no information is lost, as the message actually begins when the interpreter starts to read it.
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