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Funny you should ask about flares...
By:Brian Nystrom
Date: 7/16/2001, 1:47 pm
In Response To: Flares (Don Beale)

...as I got a chance to play with some at ACSKS this past weekend. A rep from the Coast Guard showed up with a truckload of expired pyrotechnics. We fired off a couple dozen parachute flares, a couple of smokes and a bunch of handheld flares (not very useful to kayakers).

I asked about the smaller flares (Skyblazers) which had been soaking in the cockpit of my boat for the past few months. He had no direct experience with them, but said that they carried something similar when on duty and they worked about half the time. A few of us set some off, plus some Orions, and they all worked fine, so perhaps they're not so bad after all. The Orions shoot higher and burn brighter, but they wont work in the foam block holder I have in my boat. I'll carry them in my vest and Skyblazers in the boat.

The only problem I had with the Skyblazers was that one of the caps leaked and the chain had become a black, goopy corroded blob. It still worked though. From now on, I'll check them periodically.

One thing that became glaringly apparent is that there is a HUGE difference between "real" flares and the "toy" stuff that we typically use. In particular, parachute flares are dramatically brighter and burn far longer than the smaller rocket flares. Unfortunately, they're also bulky, heavy and expensive. Still, I may get one and mount it to the bulkhead behind my seat.

BTW, kayakers are not required to carry pyrotechnics by the CG, though it is highly recommended. All that is required is a sound making device (your voice meets that requirement, but a whistle or horn is recomended) and a light if you paddle at night. Lights that flash at 60-80 flashes per second are considered distress signals and should not be used except in emergencies. Flashlights and headlamps meet the legal requirement. A slow or rapid flashing light would be legal and I assume a rotating light would also be legal. Food for thought.

Messages In This Thread

Flares
Don Beale -- 7/13/2001, 10:34 pm
Re: Flares
Geo. Cushing -- 7/16/2001, 5:04 pm
Re: Flares *NM*
Geo. Cushing -- 7/16/2001, 4:53 pm
Funny you should ask about flares...
Brian Nystrom -- 7/16/2001, 1:47 pm
a brief flash
Paul G. Jacobson -- 7/17/2001, 1:23 am
Oops! Yeah, it's 60-80 flashes/minute *NM*
Brian Nystrom -- 7/17/2001, 12:17 pm
Re: Funny you should ask about flares...
Don Beale -- 7/16/2001, 2:56 pm
Re: Funny you should ask about flares...
Shawn Baker -- 7/16/2001, 3:40 pm
Yeah, what Shawn said
Brian Nystrom -- 7/17/2001, 12:15 pm
some flare questions
mike allen -- 7/17/2001, 1:13 pm
Re: some flare questions
Brian Nystrom -- 7/18/2001, 1:04 pm
Re: Parachute Flares
Shawn Baker -- 7/16/2001, 10:22 am
Funny you should mention dye...
Pete Rudie -- 7/16/2001, 3:34 pm
Turning the well funny colors OT
!RUSS -- 7/17/2001, 8:01 am
Re: Holy cow!!!!! Better keep it dry in your PFD! *NM*
Shawn Baker -- 7/16/2001, 4:12 pm
Smoke and Mirrors
!RUSS -- 7/14/2001, 7:41 am
Re: Smoke and Mirrors
Rob Macks -- 7/18/2001, 5:43 pm
When it hits the fan
!RUSS -- 7/18/2001, 10:57 pm
very interesting, thanks *NM*
mike allen -- 7/19/2001, 10:47 am
BEFORE it hits the fan
Rob Macks -- 7/19/2001, 10:08 am
Ditch Kit Invitational Games Join The FUN
!RUSS -- 7/19/2001, 11:31 pm
Don't forget your bear packet+pepper spray. *NM*
John Monfoe -- 7/20/2001, 4:52 am
Its in there... Can you find it?
!RUSS -- 7/23/2001, 10:34 am
Re: rescue book
Val Wann -- 7/19/2001, 10:09 pm
Re: BEFORE it hits the fan
Rehd -- 7/19/2001, 9:58 pm
Re: Another great post Russ
Don Beale -- 7/19/2001, 2:16 am
Don't forget the flares, integrate them
!RUSS -- 7/19/2001, 7:12 am
Re: Don't forget the flares, integrate them
Paul G. Jacobson -- 7/19/2001, 11:52 pm
Re: Don't forget the flares, integrate them
!RUSS -- 7/20/2001, 12:00 am
Great Posts. I pay attention to your experience. *NM*
John Monfoe -- 7/19/2001, 6:42 am
Re: When it hits the fan
daren neufeld -- 7/18/2001, 11:44 pm
Re: Smoke and Mirrors
John Monfoe -- 7/15/2001, 4:42 am
Re: Smoke and Mirrors
!RUSS -- 7/16/2001, 9:37 am
Weather cautions
John Monfoe -- 7/18/2001, 5:47 am
Today at La Parrusse Banks..........
!RUSS -- 7/18/2001, 8:07 am
Re: Today at La Parrusse Banks..........
Brent Curtis -- 7/18/2001, 12:05 pm
Re: Today at La Parrusse Banks....OT......
!RUSS -- 7/19/2001, 11:49 pm
Re: Smoke and Mirrors
Brent Curtis -- 7/15/2001, 8:26 am
Re: Smoke and Mirrors
John Monfoe -- 7/16/2001, 6:33 am
Re: some related safety questions
erez -- 7/14/2001, 6:07 pm
EPIRB, SCUBA KNIVEs and CD Disks
!RUSS -- 7/16/2001, 9:32 am
Re: some related safety questions
Bob Kelim -- 7/14/2001, 8:37 pm
Re: signal mirror
Don Beale -- 7/14/2001, 11:12 pm
Re: some related safety questions
Guy Kaminski -- 7/14/2001, 7:29 pm
Re: Great thoughts
Don Beale -- 7/14/2001, 10:40 am