Re: [Paddlewise] Flares carried in a PFD - Can you get burnt? - What is a safepractice???

I recently began to carry some small 'comet' brand flares in my PFD

don't know about accidental ignition possiblities
re waterproofing - I actually don't know. However,

- One is in a manufacturer's sealed bag.
- at the suggestion of wayne langmaid of ocean planet I placed the other in a
condom and knotted it closed. both go into a plastic zip lock sample bag as used
by geologists, geomorphologists etc, they're very robust.

nick gill

Peter Osman wrote:

> G'Day,
>
> Please - does anyone have any comments regarding flares carried in PFD's???
>
> Until recently I thought it sensible to carry flares in a lifejacket pocket
> because what was the point in having them in a kayak if you were separated
> from it or unable to readily access them when required? Now on New Years
> Eve, during a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney Harbour, a friend
> decided to try out a few flares as a way of celebrating the millennium. His
> description of their thermal intensity was somewhat disturbing!! Appparently
> they were capable of boiling a cubic foot of water. What if they went off
> accidentally in the PFD - I could imagine some pretty severe burns as a
> result!
>
> Can anyone comment on the chance of accidently setting off flares carried in
> the pocket of a PFD. This has been my practice for almost a year but I am
> having second thoughts?
>
> Also how robust are flares against exposure to salt water - I sometimes
> (often) get completely soaked when mucking about in surf and carrying flares
> in my lifejacket. Is this likely to compromise the flare??
>
> Would be glad of any advice or experience on these matters.
>
> Regards, PeterO.
>
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--
Nicholas Gill
Lecturer in Geography
School of Geosciences
University of Wollongong
NSW 2522

Ph. 02 4221 3721
Fax. 02 4221 4250



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