Re: [Paddlewise] Strobes

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 08:10:32 -0700
David Anderson <squtch_at_quiet-like-a-panther.org> wrote:

> Okay, so it's my own fault for not paying close enough attention the first 
> time around on this issue (or the second . . .)
> 
> I have just received a Princeton Tec Aurora LED headlamp to test. It's quite 
> a nice little light, and one of it's features is that you can set it to 2 
> different strobe modes. Slow flashes about every 2 seconds and fast is about 
> twice a second. 

Don't know the legal timing for use as a distress signal.  A few practical
considerations:

Any strobing will likely be regarded as a distress signal, AFAIK.  Timing may
be irrelevant, especially since yours is not omnidirectional.  Consequently, an
observer will not see every flash.

The biggest concern:  For locating you in seas, the Coast Guard strongly
prefers a constant light.  Strobes are hard to focus on, and make keeping you
in sight harder than a constant light.

A local bar pilot fell into the sea off the Columbia River, and was lost for a
couple of hours.  The CG helo eventually located him from the splashing his
arms made as they flew past, not his strobe (which had failed), and not his
reflective tape.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Thu Apr 25 2002 - 08:10:46 PDT

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