On 5 Jun 2004 at 12:22, Evan Dallas wrote: > The literature claims they can be > seen up to 20 miles away and can last up to 72 hours on a set of > batteries. _If_ these perform as well as advertised, it almost seems > like they could make other flares nearly obsolete They suffer from one serious flaw - flares can be seen from any direction whereas these laser flares (if they are what I'm thinking of http://www.mssltd.com/laser/) have to be pointed at a potential rescuer. They really shouldn't be called flares. > Secondly, strobes usually get high marks for attracting attention. > The problem I have is that I've only seen two types: The first is the > fat red one (I'm not even sure of the brand, except is says "Emergency > Strobe" on it and is made in China) that accepts one large D-cell > battery, where the flash (when it works) is quite bright, but the > quality control seems to be lacking and they can, or perhaps more > accurately, _usually_ just stop working all of a sudden. The second > type is the skinny type that takes a single AA cell battery. Mine is > made by Princeton Tec and the quality control seems much better, but > the flash is much less bright. Does anyone have a recommendation for > a nice bright _dependable_ stobe? I use the PT (with lithium battery) and the other you mention are the only two I've seen. There is an orange version of the red one sold by the folks that sell the C-light (aka see light or sea light). I don't know if it's the same manufacturer. > Pencil, 12 guage and parachute flares; Probably 12 guage are best !/$, but it's a biggish package to carry in a PFD pocket. > Smoke bombs > Dye marker These two are cheap and reliable - except for high wind and high current/confused seas respectively. > Mirror reflector For the price, probably one of the best sunny day items. Nights and cloud make them almost useless (unless the rescuer is shining a light at you. > Reflective tape Put it on the kayak regardless. Ditto on your PFD if it's an older one that doesn't have already. > VHF radio > Cell phone Both are good in certain areas and worthless in others. It all depends on coverage. VHF is better in that everyone can hear, whereas the cell phone limits you to one person. Cell phone is cheaper in the sense that so many already have one. I know that many parts of Georgian Bay have better cell reception than downtown Toronto, so I always bring mine there. > EPIRB $$$ and slow. They'll get to you, but it could take a while, depending on where you are. If you're paddling in the middle of nowhere, they are probably the best solution. > and probably others I've missed. Big international-orange plastic bag. They are easier to find in the US and Britain than in Canada and have handy instructions on them on how to use them for rescue. You can inflate them (with help from the wind) and you have a big flotation aid as well as very visible object. You can get in it for warmth (including an emergency bivi). Stretch it over a pit to make a solar still for drinking water etc. Does everything but walk the dog. Matches in a waterproof container. You could make three little smoky fires if you get to shore. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Jun 05 2004 - 14:02:13 PDT
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