Flares

[Flash]

Dudes and dudesses,

What say you regarding my flare setup...

A simple pen flare with 4 flares kept in a modded battery case.

BTW this case clips on to a second for my CR123A and AA carries.

Flash

[jock1]

Thats quite a set up are there any issues regarding the 123 batteries being so close to the flares or are they all in single cell occupancy 
ps where did you get flares ??

[Flash]

Jock,

There is no chance of any leakage or accidental discharge as the cases are separate and waterproof etc

[Freudian Frog]

I am envious.

[NutSAK]

That's pretty cool.  Flares are not something I've considered using in a small kit, but that would work quite well.  Where would one find a pen flare like that?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Why do you carry flare's mate , in my experience those pen flare's are pretty hopeless unless it's really, really dark

[WhichDawg]

very nice set up

For being seen M!
but like Micky pointed out if you haven't tested them in a situation
(like roadside or someplace you'd want to be seen)
it would be a good idea to do so (unless you already know).

brighter the better. I keep some flares in my B.O.B. (still in their clamshell)
but I haven't tested them up here, now I will.

[Flash]

I got these from some Maritime supply website.  They are not road side flares and are purely the sky signal type.  Mickyd you are right...they work best at night...as for why I carry them...why not 

[DaveK]

I got these from some Maritime supply website.  They are not road side flares and are purely the sky signal type.  Mickyd you are right...they work best at night...as for why I carry them...why not 

Hear hear 

Are they very expensive Flash?

[I'm Still Bison]

Why do you carry flare's mate , in my experience those pen flare's are pretty hopeless unless it's really, really dark

 Guy Fawkes Day is just around the corner
 Seriously,if they're compact,why not stash something like that in a B.O.B.;anything is better than nothing.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I got these from some Maritime supply website.  They are not road side flares and are purely the sky signal type.  Mickyd you are right...they work best at night...as for why I carry them...why not 

Fair enough then

[J-sews]

The pickle fork on the Flair is a bit of a waste don't you think?

[Flash]

 

[J-sews]

Sorry, my brain has no capacity for non-multitool related thoughts.

[DaveK]

I'm amazed noone's done this one yet:

[Freudian Frog]

Too much flair.

[NutSAK]

How about this?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/books/humor/999b/

[Dunc]

This is what you want





http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=31U0Ux-mz3M&feature=related

On a serious note ( I suppose I should say this considering my line of duty ) it is illegal to set off flare especially red ones . To be honest I'm not sure how you stand letting them off over land . But if your in trouble I wouldn't worry about that .Another word of warning , these things really go off with a bang and a woosh . They kill very easily . I heard about a boat skipper who let one off but in his panic he had it upside down , blew himself and the boat up 
     Wasn't there one fired across a soccer pitch ?

Another thing to consider is how you dispose of them when they go out of date . You can't just chuck them in the bin and if they are red you can't just let them off , even on Nov 5th

  Flash have you got a EPIRB in you B.O.B ?

Dunc

[Flash]

Dunc5,

Very good points and I agree with what you say.

I do not carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon as all of the ones I have seen seem to cost a packet 

Do you know of any that are reasonable priced 

Thanks shipmate

[Dunc]

Dunc5,

Very good points and I agree with what you say.

I do not carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon as all of the ones I have seen seem to cost a packet 

Do you know of any that are reasonable priced 

Thanks shipmate

To be honest I don't know an awfull lot about epirbs but from what I've learn't they are bringing in a new frequency so if you were to buy one you would need to look into it carefully . You can even get on on a watch .

Dunc

[Flash]

Yeah I heard that...I believe that Breitling make a watch with this...however if you use it in error there is a £1000.00 fine for misuse as they scramble emergency teams to your location   

[Dunc]

Yeah I heard that...I believe that Breitling make a watch with this...however if you use it in error there is a £1000.00 fine for misuse as they scramble emergency teams to your location   

Yes that does happen , there was one the other week a couple of miles out . Turned out to be a Diver who accidentally turned his on while stowing his gear . Took a while for Coast gaurds to get to the bottom of it .

Dunc

[Freudian Frog]

They need to add a glass cover for the button.

Plus I'd enjoy smashing it when the time comes.

[Sea Monster]

To be honest I don't know an awfull lot about epirbs but from what I've learn't they are bringing in a new frequency so if you were to buy one you would need to look into it carefully . You can even get on on a watch .

The old style, 121.5MHz, while still currently functional, is no longer considered to fall within the requirements of a vessels safety something or other, it will be turned off in 122 days (1st feb 09) (If you have a 121.5 MHz EPIRB after this date it is nothing more than a curious pool toy or interesting coffee table deco)

in my state of my country (NSW, Australia), it is officially off the books - some states and countries maybe further ahead or further behind depending on the mood of the local lawmakers.

406 is the new frequency, and required on all vessels X metres in length going more than X miles offshore.

An epirb has certain requirements - it must be self-righting in the water with an aerial set up so if you're blacked out etc you will still be locatable, and it has to have a 48 hour battery.

the alternative, a "personal locator beacon" still uses the 406 frequency, but does not have the same self-righting, auto-broadcasting, 48-hour battery requirements as an EPIRB - these are mostly used by Bushwalkers etc in case they get lost.

an epirb or PLB ranges from 300-1000 bucks (Australian), depending on your brand, added features, and whatnot.


Be careful when purchasing EPIRBs - some sellers mistakingly sell PLBs as EPIRBS, not knowing the legislative differences, and (in my country at least) only some brands are "Approved" for whatever reasons.

If you bushwalking/hiking etc, you will be looking for a PLB, as they are generally much smaller and lighter (but not cheaper)

[Dunc]

Nomad thanks for that  I knew you had to be carefull which one to get . Youve made it a lot clearer . In time we may look to get PRB for the crew .

Dunc