Use of Flares

[Adventurebound]

A recent rescue had the sailer put his clothes on fire trying to operate a flare. Probably had it pointed to himself rather than at the sky by mistake. I have some out of date flares to practice on. How do you set them off without getting a huge bill from search and rescue for declaring a false emergency.

[Kevin84]

Call your local Coast Guard Station and ask them.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[IslandHopper]

http://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-pub...ons/amsa50.pdf

There is no distinction between someone firing off some out of date flares and a demonstration, you will also be required to comply with your relevant state or territory regs........

[mike22sail]

Set off recently expired flares in your backyard on the Fourth of July if it is a safe location to do so.
I would suggest contacting your local fire dept. with suggestions regarding flares that have been expired for more than several years.

[IslandHopper]

What's so special about 4th of July....






....in Australia...

[FSMike]

With the Aussies I know it's any excuse for a party lol. Most of the time I can even find some Fosters in the states.

[Adventurebound]

You wouldn't want to be on your sinking boat letting off flares on 4th of July. Everybody will just think you are having a good time. Thanx for the form.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Most of the time I can even find some Fosters in the states.

That is because NO ONE drinks that crap here! It is all exported... mostly to the States!

And yeah, I was once crossing Stockton Bight (between Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens) around midnight on NYE. There were dozens of flares visible, a display lasting around 15 minutes or so. Not a good time for a Mayday!

Jim

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by FSMike

With the Aussies I know it's any excuse for a party lol. Most of the time I can even find some Fosters in the states.

As I am an Aussie the only use we have for Fosters is as a weed killer.........or as Jim states....export....

[jeepbluetj]

OTOH (since you can't set em of on the 4th anywhere but the US... and even there it's not gonna look like a firework)

I've looked at the ones in my boat. The one's in the "gun" are pretty obvious - point away and pull the trigger. One could say that if somebody didn't figure this out it's evolution in action.

The hand held ones are pretty obvious to me too (I've got a few on board too). Point away and pop the cap - like the instructions say.

For "practice" I'd be more prone to excersize my pyro tendencies. i.e. I got to set crap off legally.

For safety? Read the instructions. Don't do stupid.

[Adventurebound]

You are in a sinking boat getting thrown around by waves at night, You dive into your flooded cabin and retrieve the flares. By feel you unpack them and have one in your hand. By feel, which way do I hold it and which way do I pull? If you get it real wrong, you may not even be pulling on the flare.

[carstenb]

I don't know about other countries, but here in DK, the sailing clubs generally have 1 day a year where they demonstrate the proper way to use flares. ON these days you can legally show up and fire yours off. The clubs have contacted both the police and the rescue services and gotten permission etc.

EVen if you don't have old flares - it is worthwhile to go and have a look see. Gives you an idea of just how they work and what is involved in setting one off.

[Rick01541]

I've gotten rid of my out of date flares and gained some experience in using them by firing them off in a metal trash can (empty of course). If it's the gun type I keep the lid on and opened just a crack while I fire them.

[Hydra]

It's feasible to practice setting off *hand-held* flares in your backyard, provided you are far from the sea, or even indoors (not at home), in a well-ventilated place: they just give off some very bright light and smoke. A big bucket of water is handy for cooling them.

For rocket/parachute flares, it's another business...

Alain

[Adventurebound]

Originally Posted by Rick01541

I've gotten rid of my out of date flares and gained some experience in using them by firing them off in a metal trash can (empty of course). If it's the gun type I keep the lid on and opened just a crack while I fire them.

Why not get into the trash can and fire out. The hard part will be calculating your trajectory back into the earth's atmosphere.