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Flares
Nov 12, 2007 17:25:41 GMT -1
Post by THURSOMAN on Nov 12, 2007 17:25:41 GMT -1
Hello all, I'm calling on your expert help again. Any advice on which flares to go for and where to buy please? Looking for some small enough to fit in pocket.
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Flares
Nov 23, 2007 0:28:38 GMT -1
Post by ZEBRA on Nov 23, 2007 0:28:38 GMT -1
working on it for you Chris just trying to find a co that will post them most co wont post them because of their explosive properties
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Flares
Nov 23, 2007 10:08:35 GMT -1
Post by aikidojohn on Nov 23, 2007 10:08:35 GMT -1
Hi I have the same problem! What flares, In Lymington, a boatman had his flares in his pocket so if he went into the water he could signal. The flares went off in his pocket and it was touch and go if he would survive. I am having a pocket added to my life jacket so that my radio is with me at all times (a water proof Icom) and the flares stay in the yak. I also think where possible you should go out two or more yaks at a time. If you are going out on your own then don't go out more than 1/4 to 1/2 a mile. think about swimming back, in your dry suite. "A bit of a kill joy", well as long as it is joy and not me!!!! AJ
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johningham
valued Member
life is to short to worry !
Posts: 57
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Flares
Nov 23, 2007 16:32:52 GMT -1
Post by johningham on Nov 23, 2007 16:32:52 GMT -1
this is what i use, its a red flare at one end for night time or for day time there is orange smoke the baked beans are for just to show the size not to add wind for orange smoke ;D hope this helps
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johningham
valued Member
life is to short to worry !
Posts: 57
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Flares
Nov 23, 2007 16:34:48 GMT -1
Post by johningham on Nov 23, 2007 16:34:48 GMT -1
sorry forgot to say where i buy mine, most ships chandlers should sell them,
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Flares
Nov 28, 2007 15:56:02 GMT -1
Post by dorado on Nov 28, 2007 15:56:02 GMT -1
Pains Wessex have just brought out a new version of the mini flares - 2 types.
Personal Distress Signals - a plastic box of 9 small rocket cartridges and a penjector firing mechanism. - small enough to go in the mesh pocket of my palm Adventure Rec PFD.
Compact Distress Signals - same small rocket cartridges but only 3 on an elastic lanyard and housed WITHIN the penjector body. Waterproof housing with O ring.
Day & Night. - same as above with red flare one end and orange smoke the other.
If going offshore - like on a kayaking and camping trip, then I would recommend both personal flares ON YOUR PERSON (I ALWAYS HAVE MINE IN THE POCKET OF MY PFD) and the bigger flares in an EASY TO REACH STORAGE place on the kayak. A piece of plumbing with cap ends on deck is a favourite with expedition kayakers - plastic pipe just the right size to house a rocket or red flare. For offshore I would suggest 2 Mk8 Red Rockets on deck together with a combined Day&Night.
I hear your concern about the personal flares going off - I can only think they were in with something else. They need a strike to ignite, much like a shotgun cartridge (which is why they won't post them and have to use a registered carrier) - in the box or the new housing they cannot be hit accidentally - cover the ends with a blob of vaseline to prevent corrosion in our exposed environment. On a boat they are less likely to suffer from corrosion or deterioration than constantly getting wet on a kayak.
You do need something on your person though - at anchor and you go overboard, your flares are on the kayak and you are drifting off down tide further and further away from your emergency signalling devices........a personal set on you gives you a means of attracting some attention. I would actually go with the set of 9 - which is a replacement for the rubber housed mini flares. I even tried the new ones (I only have a dummy set for photography) in the old rubber housing - they fit!
I'll email some pics to Terry or Kev to put up for you.
Comet also do the same flares: Personal Signal Launcher, Compact Signal Launcher and Day&Night respectively - oh and they do other rockets called the Leisure Para Rocket and a skylite 2-star rocket - smaller and easier to stow on a kayak, but only 5 second burn.
Hope that helps.
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Flares
Nov 28, 2007 19:29:37 GMT -1
Post by THURSOMAN on Nov 28, 2007 19:29:37 GMT -1
Many, many thanks all for taking the time and effort to reply here! Some sound advice as usual. (;o) Cheers.
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Flares
Dec 3, 2007 20:06:07 GMT -1
Post by kayakadventures on Dec 3, 2007 20:06:07 GMT -1
I've used the Day/ night twin flare in the photo. It is the most water proof I've come across. In fact I left one outside by my kayak in the garden all one winter and was gutted to find it worked when i thought I'd set it off on Nov 5th. I thought it would not fire!
Not a cheap option though. An alternative is to make some flare stroage tubes with drain pipe and sealed off at the ends with screw tops. Less water resistant flares can be stored in them on deck. Try your DIY store for the bits.
Flares are costly. Contrast this to France where i bought some replacements. 10 Euros for three red hand flares which conform to EU standards. It might have something to do with he fact that yachtsmen and boaters in France must by law carry specific items of safety kit. But thats a diferent issue....
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Flares
Dec 3, 2007 20:37:34 GMT -1
Post by dorado on Dec 3, 2007 20:37:34 GMT -1
You can very easily and very cheaply totally waterproof your deck flares.........or a mobile phone!
Simply put them in a condom and tie it off......your phone can still be used as the thin rubber allows you to both see and work the buttons. For flares, the rubber sausage keeps the water out - stow them in a pipe but they are totally protected from water by the condom, so your DIY skills don't need to be so good. To get at them just rip the covering open.
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Flares
Dec 3, 2007 21:34:07 GMT -1
Post by THURSOMAN on Dec 3, 2007 21:34:07 GMT -1
Man, that's a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing it. (;o) I'll have a go at trying to fit my mobile in one.
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Flares
Dec 20, 2007 23:28:39 GMT -1
Post by ZEBRA on Dec 20, 2007 23:28:39 GMT -1
i noticed decathlon sell smoke flares 3 for 10.00 might be worth trying them seams very cheep though .
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Flares
Dec 21, 2007 6:37:50 GMT -1
Post by kickingk on Dec 21, 2007 6:37:50 GMT -1
Sorry I've just read the condom tip - BRILLIANT!!! Think I'd better let the wife read the post before I rush out and buy them though! Can't see her believing me when i tell her I got them for Kayaking
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