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#Post#: 92--------------------------------------------------
Purchased a safety update today...
By: Abking Date: March 21, 2011, 8:05 pm
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I'd noticed a few months back that my waterproof hand-held
flares had expired in late '09, so I bought a new packet today -
they were like $15 back in '07 or so, and today they were
$40!... Oh well, nice to have that piece of gear in my drybag,
and they don't expire until December 2013. :)
#Post#: 101--------------------------------------------------
Re: Purchased a safety update today...
By: Topher Date: March 23, 2011, 1:28 pm
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FWIW .... one of the companies I used to guide for had a yearly
flare training at a local Coast Guard station.
We tried to sample a large array of the commercially available
“kayak size” flares ..... unfortunately the results were
extremely disappointing. The brand new flares had about a 80%
success rate, but any that had been schlepped around in dry bags
for few months had a less than 50% chance of working. We had
much better success with the larger sized flares with almost
100% with new and 75% or so with those that were well travelled.
I still think they are a good piece of safety equipment ... but
you either need to carry a bunch of them or have them as overlap
with other signaling devices. The CG highly recommended a cylume
sticks on string swung in big circles as one of the smallest and
most visible signs for the helicopter to see.
Maybe you could bring your old ones to GS5 for a test ? .... the
CG is usually OK with test shots as long as you call and give
them a heads up
#Post#: 102--------------------------------------------------
Re: Purchased a safety update today...
By: Abking Date: March 23, 2011, 1:50 pm
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Thanks for the info, Topher. I got a package with 4 flares, so
hopefully I get at least a 25% functional response if I ever
need them!
I blew it on the old ones - I asked the guys at Englund's to
dispose of them for me as I pictured myself slamming too many
brews and shooting one off w/o calling the CG first! ;D
Swinging a cylume on a string... That gave me a "flashback" to
a Grateful Dead Chinese New Year show in Oakland back in '89 or
so... 8)
#Post#: 108--------------------------------------------------
Re: Purchased a safety update today...
By: MattS Date: March 23, 2011, 9:09 pm
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I was considering getting some flares as well. Great tips. How
do the stick flares compare to the gun flares? The light stick
is a great idea. I may have to pick some up to keep in my ditch
bag or PFD.
I did get a nice C-Strobe for my PFD, that thing is amazingly
bright! I had a white "safety" light for the PFD before, and it
was junk. It barely made a good flashlight :-\ I may get a
small signal mirror for day time signaling as well. It isn't
just night time when we may need a rescue.
I also just picked up a bike flag to put on my kayak light pole.
I noticed with the swell, it is easy to loose sight of the
kayaks. The flag seems to stand out pretty well. I just hope I
don't get my rods tangled on it!
Matt
#Post#: 129--------------------------------------------------
Re: Purchased a safety update today...
By: Rhyak Date: March 27, 2011, 7:20 pm
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That is for sure one of the items that I need to toss in the
bag. Now i have light sticks with some string and a mirror and
spare whistle and a few other items.
Flares our a good backup for sure. Just hope they our never
needed.
#Post#: 149--------------------------------------------------
Re: Purchased a safety update today...
By: Saltydog Date: March 29, 2011, 1:41 am
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Topher, when you say 'full size' flares are you talking about
the standard ones used by the CHP and broken down motorists?
On another safety note I was at REI over the weekend eyeing a
2ml wetsuit jacket. Made for SUP boarders I think.
$80 so I had to hold off until work picks up and the cash begins
to flow again. Looked like it would work perfect with my farmer
john on the cold days and for the 'big swim in'. ;D
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