I carry three flares in the pocket of my PFD. I am willing to accept the fact that I will have to replace them more frequently. In return I don't have to try and get them out of a package while cold or injured. They are part of my last line of defense, while I can use them at any time, If I really need them, it will probably be the worst possible scenario, (why plan for anything less. If you plan for the worst, all of your surprises will be pleasant.) My thought is that if I can use them when I am separated from my boat and debilitated by the cold or injured then they are useful to me. If I had more pockets I would carry more flares. (I also carry a snake bite venom extractor, a mirror, a whistle and a knife, You've never seen so many snakes as they have here in Tidewater Virginia). Take a look at Deep Trouble (This book is a must read, they should do another). There are several instances in there where people needed flares when they were separated from their boats. (sorry I can't give the chapters, I think my copy is wrapped up under the tree, find out next week.) -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Holst [SMTP:CHUCK_at_multitech.com] Sent: Thursday, December 17, 1998 6:20 PM To: 'Paddlewise' Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Flares >>I suppose I'm even worse, I carry my flares in a cargo box inside the boat.<< I carry my three freshest flares in the back pocket of my Palm buoyancy aid. I used a Seal-a-Meal food sealer to seal the flares into a clear, waterproof bag (Ziplocs leak), and I fastened a nylon cord to it to make it easier to extract without first removing the buoyancy aid. <g> I store outdated flares in an emergency signaling kit in the cockpit, along with an orange SOS banner. So far, I have never had to signal for help, and I hope I never will. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
With all the talk about flares --- and, I recall, one mention of strobes --- was kinda wondering how many or us carry them as standard issue? For me, flares fill a legal requirement, but, if I were ever to get knocked out of my boat at night or in low visibility conditions, my little ACR Firefly would be the first thing I'd activate. I "pre-flight" that light before every paddle, and would depend on it in an emergency. (I've always got the little Skyblazers in a PFD pocket, and keep them date-checked, and I'll carry a crash box with parachute flares on any crossings, but the strobe is definitely my signal-of-choice. Am I in a minority? Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > > With all the talk about flares --- and, I recall, one mention of strobes --- > was kinda wondering how many or us carry them as standard issue? [snip] > but the strobe is definitely my signal-of-choice. > > Am I in a minority? Around here, virtually every sea kayaker carries small pencil-type flares (ACR Firefly or equiv) on their person. Maybe 10 per cent carry strobes. The thinking is that the flares will alert boaters in the near vicinity that there is an emergency. BTW, about 5 years ago, one of the Columbia River Bar pilots got knocked off the ladder while transferring from a freighter to the pilot boat -- out in the ocean at the mouth of the River. He spent about 3 hours floating around in the water at night, maybe 6 foot swell and 2 foot wind chop, with his strobe going, and guess how the CG in the helo spotted him: by the SPLASHING he made in the water when the helo made a pass. Yeah, they did NOT see the strobe, even though they had made a couple passes very near to him. He did not carry pencil flares, IIRC. Don't know what happened to his handheld VHF. He was one very lucky puppy, because the water temp was in the low 60's, and his "immersion protection" was some standard issue coveralls and a big float coat. (No wetsuit, no dry suit, no heavy fleece insulation.) When found, he was mildly hypothermic ... and very grateful! -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:05 PM 12/19/98 -0500, JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: >With all the talk about flares --- and, I recall, one mention of strobes --- SNIP >box with parachute flares on any crossings, but the strobe is definitely my >signal-of-choice. > >Am I in a minority? > >Jack Martin Jack, I have a strobe that I bought from West Marine (one C battery) and it has an arm band. If there's any reasonable probability that I'll be paddling in the dark, it goes in a PFD pocket or on my arm. Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
As far as signaling deivices, all of my lifejackets have a "C" cell type of strobe attached along with flares in a ziplock. I replace the flares at least once a year. I have to admit that it concerns me a bit that in Dave's mention of the river pilot, the Coast Guard didn't see the strobe, as my whole motivation for putting strobes on all of my lifejackets, including loaners, was due to a friend of mine not having anything on his person to signal with (it was all in the kayak I had lent him) during a rescue. I check the strobes at the start of each trip and the flares a few times a season. In addition to the signaling devices (which I first bought the day after the rescue) I have changed many of my trip planning and skill checkout approaches to avoid a repeat. - The signaling devices are nice, but it's even better to avoid the problem in the first place. -Saul At 11:34 AM 12/20/98 -0500, Bill Leonhardt wrote: >At 11:05 PM 12/19/98 -0500, JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: >>With all the talk about flares --- and, I recall, one mention of strobes --- >SNIP >>box with parachute flares on any crossings, but the strobe is definitely my >>signal-of-choice. >> >>Am I in a minority? >> >>Jack Martin > > >Jack, > >I have a strobe that I bought from West Marine (one C battery) and it has >an arm band. If there's any reasonable probability that I'll be paddling >in the dark, it goes in a PFD pocket or on my arm. > >Bill Leonhardt >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > > Saul Kinderis saul_at_isomedia.com tel:(425)402-3426 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Saul Kinderis wrote: > > As far as signaling deivices, all of my lifejackets have a "C" cell type of > strobe attached along with flares in a ziplock. I replace the flares at > least once a year. I have to admit that it concerns me a bit that in Dave's > mention of the river pilot, the Coast Guard didn't see the strobe, as my > whole motivation for putting strobes on all of my lifejackets, including > loaners, was due to a friend of mine not having anything on his person to > signal with (it was all in the kayak I had lent him) during a rescue. [snip] When I told my SO what I had written about the Bar pilot whose strobe was not visible to the CG helo, she reminded me that the strobe was operating intermittently, and so that may have been a contributing factor why it did not attract the attention of the helo. I believe the strobe leaked water, and so it shorted when the water provided a lower resistance path than the bulb. Don't know the brand of strobe he used. The next piece of Saul's post (which I snipped) might be fodder for a discussion/listing of strobes which do not leak. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I carry a strobe pinned to my pfd, a pencil light tied to my left shoulder, and flares in a pocket. A GPS is also attached to the spray skirt. If I had a VHF it would be on the PFD as well. Hope this helps... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/20/1998 5:57:56 PM EST, dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com writes: << I carry a strobe pinned to my pfd, a pencil light tied to my left shoulder, and flares in a pocket. A GPS is also attached to the spray skirt. If I had a VHF it would be on the PFD as well. Hope this helps... Dan McCarty >> I feel this is a good variety of "things" one would find useful if dumped into the water. One suggestion if to upgrade your flashlight. Pelican makes a light that used three C cell batteries and a krypton bulb. It is waterproof and has a very thin beam that stays focused for a long ways. This light "cuts" through fog and rain like no other flashlight. Firefighters use it in smoke filled buildings and divers use it underwater. It is my favorite waterproof flashlight. Try one, I think you will like it. Price is about 25 to 35 dollard depending where you buy it. Browning markets it also with their brand name on it in gun stores too. John LeBlanc *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I have to admit that as I read the posts, it makes me realize that the proper reply would be as follows: I carry flares in my PFD pocket, I have a strobe sewn onto the shoulder of the PFD, I had an EPIRB surgically implanted in my chest cavity (runs off pacemaker batteries), A Cyalume stick under the skin in each hand, A paddle with an inflatable bladder on each blade that is filled by CO2 catridges in the shaft, inflatable "crotch dirigible" TM underwear, VHF wisdom tooth implant (for those voices that tell me to paddle harder), I practice rolling every morning (I sleep in my kayak, in the surf zone)... This could lead to???? At 05:41 PM 12/20/98 -0500, dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com wrote: > > >I carry a strobe pinned to my pfd, a pencil light tied to my left shoulder, >and flares in a pocket. A GPS is also attached to the spray skirt. If I >had a VHF it would be on the PFD as well. > >Hope this helps... >Dan McCarty > > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > > Saul Kinderis saul_at_isomedia.com tel:(425)402-3426 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/19/98 11:29:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com writes: > Skyblazers in a PFD pocket, and keep them date-checked, and I'll carry a > crash > box with parachute flares on any crossings, but the strobe is definitely my > signal-of-choice. I too carry Skyblazers although usually in my emergency bag and I carry a day/night flare on me. But, like you, my first choice is my military surplus strobe (with a fresh battery). Brian *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/20/98 2:03:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, saul_at_isomedia.com writes: << As far as signaling deivices, all of my lifejackets have a "C" cell type of strobe attached along with flares in a ziplock. <snip> I have to admit that it concerns me a bit that in Dave's mention of the river pilot, the Coast Guard didn't see the strobe <snip> I check the strobes at the start of each trip <snip> The signaling devices are nice, but it's even better to avoid the problem in the first place. >> Roger the last as most important, but, as a pilot, I had a routine to check my strobe before every flight --- and, one night, found that the light had been activated in the locker and was dead. Quick change at the parachute rigger's locker, and I was okay for the night. I'm also very surprised that the Coast Guard did not see the strobe. I've flown a lot of SAR missions, and have always hoped that the guy I was looking for had his --- and that he'd preflighted the little hummer. It's always been the thing I've wanted to see out there on a dark night. That and <lots> of retroreflective tape on stuff that sticks out of the water. Shoulders, sleeves, PFD straps. As to strobes, they're not all the same. The ACR Firefly series of strobes are the best, and I'd strongly recommend the very small new unit that takes off-the-shelf lithium batteries vice the bigger and very expensive cartridge batteries --- mercury? The type that's okayed for diving is the best in our wet sport. Glad to see so many people carrying them! Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> -----Original Message----- > From: JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com [mailto:JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com] > With all the talk about flares --- and, I recall, one mention > of strobes --- > was kinda wondering how many or us carry them as standard > issue? > Am I in a minority? > > Jack Martin My strobe is a standard piece of safety equipment when I'm on the water - whether in the skiff or in a kayak. Whether I'm _planning_ on being out in the dark or not. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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