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From: Peter Rattenbury <ratten_at_uow.edu.au> subject: [Paddlewise] Flares and Rescues Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 11:03:29 +1000 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:00 PDT

	I have yet to be rescued at sea, and would appreciate any Paddlewisers who
have effectively used flares/smoke/radio/EPIRB  in such an event to pass on
their experience.

	But from listening/reading accident reports etc. I have taken the view
that, sure carry flares if they make you feel better, but like radio, do
not count on them being effective when really needed.

	I guess 90 per cent of the time I am kayaking in daylight, no, more
accurately, bright sunshine. The flares I have seen in such circumstances
are not impressive.  A rescue mirror [not glass] which does not go out of
date, does not have to be waterproof,  costs $10, and does not run on
batteries! is amazingly effective in such conditions.

	I have a GME EPIRB, which fits in the pocket of my PFD, and if triggered
will guarantee to bring down the combined resources of the Water Police,
CoastGuard, Australian Navy and Air Force,  Customs, Coastal Patrol,
assorted supertankers, freighters, fishos, yachties,  rescue helicopters,
and  surf lifesavers  on  my head.

	Sure, I know there is a lag time while the satellites and the Air Sea
Rescue Centre in Canberra get their act together, but if you REALLY want to
be heard and rescued, go for an EPIRB.

	 The last major rescue effort down this part of the world was the 1998-9
Sydney-Hobart yacht race involving professional and amateur  sailors from
all over the world and which ended in disaster.  Maritime folks here are
still assessing the lessons.  Several sailors were either swept to their
deaths in mountainous seas or died on their wrecked yachts. 

	The fleet heading south ran into a cyclone [ NH= hurricane] of such
ferocity that some devoted and veteran sailors who survived vowed never to
go racing again.  Winds of 80 knots plus across the deck, seas so high that
rescue helicopters using their wire cables at full extent were still
threatened by the huge seas raging below them. 

	The full Coroner's inquiry is still to be held, but from the various
reporting so far I gather that : 

	1/ EPIRBS  proved effective in pin pointing stricken yachts.  I have not
seen any reporting which indicates individual sailors who died when they
were swept off yachts, or out of rafts,  also carried personal EPIRBS. 

	2/ Radio traffic became confused, and I think will be a major item in the
formal inquiry. The sheer magnitude of the rescue effort overwhelmed the
radio co-ordinating staff.

	3/ I have not read of any yacht or crew overboard or in a raft using
flares to effect.

	4/ Smoke was used by the professional rescuers to pin-point victims.
There is graphic television footage, familiar to Australian Paddlewisers,
of orange smoke streaming down wind and very clearly visible despite the
hurricane conditions, as a sailor is winched out of mountainous seas.

	A couple of other thoughts: 

	There is constant discussion about the need to practice, practice,
practice, our rolls and other safety drills.  How many of us have actually
set off a flare in ADVERSE conditions?  And how and where can you practice
with the things?  And how can you tell whether that flare you are carrying
around will work? At least with an EPIRB, you can run a test without
bringing down the wrath of the authorities.

	I also believe the effectiveness of flares have been negated to some
extent over the years by wilful use [ ie, deliberately being set off by
drunks etc.] In other words there is a 'cry wolf' factor.

	I have read somewhere that flares are useful in directing rescue vessels,
possibly aircraft, who are ALREADY on their way to pick you up,
particularly at night!

	If I was to carry flares, rather than smoke, I would carry at least three
parachute flares. One of Murphy's famous laws states: 
	The reaction by spotters, who, by the way, are NOT looking for flares to
spring up out of the horizon, is to the first flare: "What was that? Is
that a flare?"

	Reaction to second flare, fired, say a minute later: "Hey, that looks like
a flare. May be someone in trouble."

	Reaction to third flare: "Hey, it IS a flare."


	In summary, I  take comfort in the knowledge that my EPIRB  will work
anywhere, anytime, night or day, like my PFD, regardless of sea and weather
conditions.

	Thanks to all you PaddleWisers who keep up a lively and interesting list
of discussion topics!


	Peter Rattenbury
	Wollongong,
	Australia.

  
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