Flares

Using flares is the simplest means of indicating that any type of craft is in distress and also for indicating your position once the rescue services are in the vicinity. There are five main types of flares and each is described below:

1. Red Parachute Rockets. These are vital for alerting other vessels or shore-based observers to an emergency situation. They are particularly effective during the hours of darkness but equally are largely ineffective when low cloud is present.

A very bright flare is fired to a height of around 300 metres. This then burns for about 40 seconds as it slowly drifts back to earth on a small parachute.

To fire the flare the canister should be held firmly at arms length away from the body. There is normally a trigger mechanism at the base of the flare, as the trigger is engaged the flare is ejected with surprising force. The flare should be held at an angle of about 15 degrees to the vertical and it goes without saying that you should check that there are no overhead obstructions.

2. Red Handheld Flares. These are used to identify your position once the rescue services are looking for you. Rather like a powerful sparkler, you hold them in your hand throughout the time they are burning. The metal will become very hot; it may actually melt, and so always hold the flare at an angle so any molten material falls away from your hand. Once the flare has burnt out it will remain hot for a long period of time so the safest course of action is to immerse the flare in water.

These flares are normally ignited via a twist and strike mechanism on the base, which can be surprisingly difficult. One possible way of igniting the flare, particularly if you are in the water is to strike it on the surface of the kayak, as opposed to hitting it with the palm of your hand.

3. Orange Smoke Flares. These flares emit dense clouds of orange smoke, which is easier to see in bright sunlight than a burning red handheld. There are two variations. Smaller handheld ones, which are used in the same way as red handheld ones, make sure that you stand upwind! There are larger ones, which are also buoyant, and they will normally burn for about 3 minutes after they have been ignited. Remember to throw them on the downwind side of the kayak. The United States Coast Guard will only give approval to those flares which generate smoke for at least 50 seconds

4. Mini Flares. These are generally a small packet of flares, often 8 individual flares, which are fired from a small handheld tool. The flare is fired to a height of about 100 metres and will burn for approximately 10 seconds. Mini flares have always had a reputation for a high failure rate but the argument is that you have at least 8 opportunities. An advantage of mini flares is that the bang, which is generated when they are ignited, will often attract the attention of observers on the shore or other craft nearby.

5. White Flares. I don’t know of many sea kayakers who carry white flares but in certain circumstances they are very useful. They are used for attracting attention as opposed to calling for rescue.

Reading about the use of flares is only part of the story, if at possible you should acquire some experience in setting flares off. This doesn’t mean that you should set off your old flares when everybody else is setting of their fireworks on Bonfire Night! Each year there are a number of organised events at Symposiums, Yacht Clubs etc when participants are given the opportunity, in a structured environment, to set off flares. If there are no events in your area then perhaps your local club could organise one.

Now comes the tricky bit. How many should you have and where should you keep them? As regards to storing them in a waterproof bag inside a hatch is somewhat pointless, as they need to be at hand and ideally at least one should be available even if you lose contact with your kayak. If you have a tube underneath the deck of your kayak then that is an ideal place to keep a rocket flare and a handheld red. They should be protected from the effects of water, although most are now waterproof to a certain extent but even these are susceptible to the ravages of salt water. One possible solution is to use a narrow piece of drainpipe, one end can be sealed and the other end have a screw top on so that the flare is easily accessible.

If a small flare is available it should be carried in the pocket of your buoyancy aid or PFD. This is where a number of paddlers keep mini flares if they are carrying any. Those paddlers who have kayaks with a small third hatch just behind their cockpit can use this space to store any other flares that they might have. Some kayakers do carry their flares on the deck of their kayak, typically under the deck elastics just in front of the cockpit. I would not recommend this, as the conditions, which are likely to initiate a rescue, are also likely to wash any equipment off the decks.

One question, which is always asked, is how many and what type of flares should I carry. This is largely dependent upon the nature of the paddling that you are undertaking. For example, in certain remote areas of the world, it is necessary to consider whether it is actually worth carrying any at all as it is likely that nobody is going to see them. But in more frequently travelled waters it is advisable to carry a range of flares.

If heading offshore I always carry a couple of parachute flares and ideally make sure that other members of the group are also carrying some. In addition, it is advisable to carry a couple of red hand held flares and an orange smoke. Obviously not all of these will fit into a buoyancy aid pocket so some thought needs to be given to where they are to be stored and this needs to be done prior to arriving on the beach. Finally, I always consider carrying a pack of mini flares, even though they are not that effective. I reckon that they give me at least another 8 chances, however small!

So buy some flares, get in some regulated practice and increase your levels of safety when out on the water.

Kevin Mansell

We received the following comments (below) and extra information by e mail from Cailean Macleod to the above article. We really appreciate this type of feedback. Thanks Cailean.

Chris Jones

'Please find attached a wee sheet I made up about the Day / Night flare type which was missed out in your flare article last week. I personally think they are the most user friendly flares out there for sea kayakers but perhaps not as 'king like' for raising the alarm like a parachute flare.

One of your pictures shows you holding the main body of the flare along with the handle. Please find attached a picture which illustrates in a nutshell why you should always hold the handle especially with a pinpoint flare. The photo was taken during an RNLI safety talk where they had flares for paddlers to let off in a controlled situation - i.e. rigger gloves and safety glasses worn.

Hope this doesn't come across as picking faults but merely producing additional material to support this existing resource.

Regards

Cailean Macleod

www.peakwavecoaching.com