RE: [Paddlewise] Distress Signals

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Doug Lloyd [mailto:dlloyd_at_bc.sympatico.ca]
snip
> 
> 3. After seeing dramatic evidence of the ease with which rapid fire
> sucssesion can be maintain with a bandolier of 12 gauge 
> cartridges close at
> hand, I'm surprised more kayakers don't use them [I mean 
> carry them :)].
> More than a few people went out and bought them after 
> presentations of our
> slide show and/or rescue story retelling. Any comments from the peanut
> gallery on these 12 gauge gun launchers. I need some food for 
> thought --
> sorry, I don't have a "flare" for breakfast recipes so left the other
> thread alone!  
> 
  After misplacing the flare box for my skiff sometime over the winter I
bought a small 12 gauge flare pistol and flares early this spring.  After
some initial testing I decided that it beat the Skyblazer style of flares
hands down for convenience and reliability and started carrying it in the
kayak as well.  I keep the flare gun in my sprayskirt pocket (sans the built
in "bandolier") and three flares in a pfd pocket.  Spare flares are kept in
a drybox with the emergency/first aid kit.
  I also carry a drybox with some SOLAS grade flares.  The big flare box is
primarily there for use from shore - ie. stranded and injured/sick.  
  Neither the small SkyBlazer style flares nor the 12 gauge flares compare
well to SOLAS grade flares - the SOLAS flares go MUCH higher and burn much
more brightly and for a longer period of time, but because of their size the
smaller flares are the ones I carry on my person (if you aren't wearing it
you don't have it!).  The other downside to the SOLAS flares is that they're
expensive!!
  I've heard that there are 25mm pistol-style launchers that can throw a
larger flare much higher than the 12 gauge, but haven't been able to locate
one locally.....I'd be interested if anyone has any experience with these.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska  
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