Flares

[geocacher]

Hi all,

Just a thought. When out on the yak I carry Paines Wessex Miniflares in the rip off pocket of my inflatable PFD.

It's a hand held firer and three red flares (you can get a 9 flare kit too).



You can get them anywhere that stocks Paines Wessex flares, they may have to order them in. Expect to pay $60-$70.

I think there's a smoke one too but I haven't got one yet.

Dave

[ELM]

Last year I tried to find mini flares and could not find them anywhere ended up buying full size and prayed that I would not get separated from the yak as they are to big to carry on person. About a week after I bought them I saw them in a Whitworths catalog, funny I rang them when initially hunting and they said no don't get them, saw them again the other week and started to think how well would they fit in the PFD and are they waterproof enough to just stick in the pocket.

Whats your take on them?

[geocacher]

They are great. The tube they are stored in is sealed but they are designed to work when wet. I first found out about them during survival at sea training for work. Recommended by the trainer from the coastguard - a long time yachty - his personal recommendation.

They live in my jacket now.

Dave

[paddlepop]

I just bought a pack of 9 min flares - they are the type that fire up to 40m and burn red for 5 sec - paid ~$99 but reckon worth every cent.
When you think that yachties carry a huge array of safety equipment and they are on something thats generally highly unlikely to dump them in the drink - and you get kayakers out there in shorts and sunnys no PFD on something thats highly like to dump you !!

The flares expire in about 3 years so maybe have to go to a soccer game and test them out !!!

[Babylon]

excellent idea have been asking about these but no one seemed to know about them .Cheers Jim

[paddlepop]

I made up a little nylon pouch which velcros on to my PFD - I reckon that you need to have ON YOU. Been out in some decent swells recently and thought 'if i come off in this sh!@# its a possiblility of a) becoming separated from the yak b) finding that the sea state makes re-entry impossible'

Don't get me wrong - I'm quite happy out in a bit of chop but if you do stop and think about it you really don't need that big a sea to make things difficult-
yes I know - should'nt go out alone either (thats why I'm prepared)

Whitworth Marine in Elizabeth st should have the 3 and 9 pack - they also have 'mini' fog horns that fit in PFD pocket too. Picked one up for $6.

Hmmmmm.....wonder if the beast will take a liferaft

[Digger]

Hmmmmm...I think I'd personally be uncomfortable with pyrotechnics attached to my body, but not sure what the alternative is


Dig

[Bozzie]

I'd feel safer with a pouch of glow-sticks

[maverick]

Flares stored in the bow of a PA, next to the butane cannister for the BBQ - could be an exciting pedal. Fortunately the watertight bulkheads should stop it sinking.