Emergency signals

I thought I'd post this:

After a long and spirited debate on PDXseakayaker, and discussions with the coast guard, and a couple rescue swimmers, I've come to the conclusion that aerial flares are pretty worthless. they have a 1 in 7 success rate, and carrying 7 full size flares in the hopes one will work is just dumb. the smaller flares like pocket rockets, pen flares, 12 guage etc. are to small to really be effective.

smoke is good, die is good, signal mirrors are good, VHF's are good, and they should all be carried to supplement the others potential failure.

The best signaling device for kayakers that I've ever seen is this unit: http://acrelectronics.com/product2.aspx?sku=3999.1

If you've ever seen one of these strobes in action, they are incredible. It's the same one the CG rescue swimmers wear. attached to the lash tab on the back shoulder of your PFD, your ready for signaling with or without your boat. you can even set it to go off automatically upon hitting the water.

I've been in a discussion of lighting kayaks for night paddling, and the best option is to have a really bright waterproof flashlight (the firefly 2 fills this need) to shine right in the face of an oncoming vessel. Also fulfills coast guard regs, which I also learned require you to have one white light at all times, even during the day. They are required for all "low vis. conditions" night or day. the CG could pull you over on a sunny day and if you don't have a light, they will ticket you.

Nook,
Here's something else to check out. Its the rescue streamer and would be extremely effective during daylight hours. If paired together with the Pfd strobe and VHF, I think would certainly help in expediting a rescue. The dye's make me nervous because they dilute rather quickly, therefore don't last terribly long. Not a bad idea for $29.95.

http://www.rescuestreamer.com/index.html

Cheers!

you're right. streamers are better than dies.

thanks!

J

Also fulfills coast guard regs, which I also learned require you to have one white light at all times, even during the day. They are required for all "low vis. conditions" night or day. the CG could pull you over on a sunny day and if you don't have a light, they will ticket you.

Really?  Because at a past event, we had Coast Guard Auxiliary do complementary inspections and this was one item that was not on the required list.

-Allen

Have carried a trobe for 20 years, have never had to use it, but I have a lot of confidence that I'll be spotted in the water with it.

I purchased one of those streamers last summer and it fits easily in one of the pockets on my life jacket.


After running a PB offshore for years and many conversations with other off shore sport fishers, Coasties, and friends who commercial fish year round I came up with my personal SHTF safety plan. 

I disagree with Nanook on his take on flares.  Most times when in trouble in near shore (inside 40 miles) areas the most common first responder is another angler.  I have personally seen it several times PB tuna fishing.  A boater has something go wrong and needs assistance.  A  vhf call is made to coasties who head out, but the closest aid is nearly always other nearby fishermen who drop everything and head towards the mayday.   In our case a vest strobe won't even get noticed by the PB'er 1/2 mile away when you run into trouble on you yak, we are a tiny target.  Flares will especially in decent swells.. a flare on the ocean means drop everything and get to that location as fast as possible even if you have no clue as to what the situation may be.. 
When 3+ miles offshore hailbut fishing on my yak I would rather attempt to signal a nearby boater with my flare gun then wait the minimum forty minutes to an hour it takes to get a helo on site and spot my strobe.
 
I carry a cell (in waterproof phone bag) with local coasties emergency number on speed dial,  a floating waterproof VHF on my vest,  a 12 gauge flare pistol vac sealed and inside a dry bag with 8 flares changed yearly, and a rescue streamer plus a mini strobe in/on my vest.


Lets say an angry rouge jelly fish attacks my yak and it starts sinking three miles offshore (daylight).   For me: 

Step one.. VHF mayday with general coordinates plus cell call to Coasties if time.
Step two Grab my ditch bag (easily accessible in my dry box).  Hopefully any boaters in the area have responded to Mayday and are responding on VHF.  If so I would fire a flare to establish my location to anyone within sight.  Step three..  remain on/monitor VHF and deploy flares if/as needed to zero responders in to my location. 

or you could hope a flashing light 4-6 inches above the waterline catches their eye

actually the strobes are made to see a dude without a boat from over 2 miles night or day. I'm not saying don't carry flares, I'm saying that I've carried a bag of 4 15 inch flares for 10 years. They're bulky, and with the 1 in 7 success rate, odds are none of mine would have worked should I need.

the burn time with a flare is so short, I'd need to carry about 100 to really work. they're good for telling an approaching boat/helo that yes, I do indeed need help, but other than that, not as effective as other options. If I were on a PB, and could carry 20 or 30 flares, I would. In a kayak they are impractical.

the strobe keeps signaling , it forces your eye to it because it doesn't blend with background lights, lasts more than 5 seconds etc.

flare: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That's a little less effective than a bottle rocket.


smoke is a better option for daylight hours because it lasts much longer above the horizon. The real problem is that if you become separated from your boat and your signaling kit usually in the boat, the strobe is attached to your PFD. the only flare you can carry on your person are pen flares and they're worthless.

flares aren't bad, just not the best and definitely not good on their own. they should be part of a kit with multiple signaling devices, because not everything is going to work.

Also fulfills coast guard regs, which I also learned require you to have one white light at all times, even during the day. They are required for all "low vis. conditions" night or day. the CG could pull you over on a sunny day and if you don't have a light, they will ticket you.

Really?  Because at a past event, we had Coast Guard Auxiliary do complementary inspections and this was one item that was not on the required list.

-Allen

they just came by the shop last week and dropped off the rule book, and gave me a nice, sleepy 30 minute lecture.

I should more accurately say they require you to have a white light on your vessel day or night. not necessarily running, but available should vis. conditions become low.

actually the strobes are made to see a dude without a boat from over 2 miles night or day. I'm not saying don't carry flares, I'm saying that I've carried a bag of 4 15 inch flares for 10 years. They're bulky, and with the 1 in 7 success rate, odds are none of mine would have worked should I need.

the burn time with a flare is so short, I'd need to carry about 100 to really work. they're good for telling an approaching boat/helo that yes, I do indeed need help, but other than that, not as effective as other options. If I were on a PB, and could carry 20 or 30 flares, I would. In a kayak they are impractical.

the strobe keeps signaling , it forces your eye to it because it doesn't blend with background lights, lasts more than 5 seconds etc.

flare: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That's a little less effective than a bottle rocket.


smoke is a better option for daylight hours because it lasts much longer above the horizon. The real problem is that if you become separated from your boat and your signaling kit usually in the boat, the strobe is attached to your PFD. the only flare you can carry on your person are pen flares and they're worthless.

flares aren't bad, just not the best and definitely not good on their own. they should be part of a kit with multiple signaling devices, because not everything is going to work.

and as usual this is worst case stuff. needing help with 50 PB's around is going to be way more common than getting stranded on a rock in the wilderness/ocean without a boat or time to grab a signaling kit from a hatch.

actually the strobes are made to see a dude without a boat from over 2 miles night or day. I'm not saying don't carry flares, I'm saying that I've carried a bag of 4 15 inch flares for 10 years. They're bulky, and with the 1 in 7 success rate, odds are none of mine would have worked should I need.

the burn time with a flare is so short, I'd need to carry about 100 to really work. they're good for telling an approaching boat/helo that yes, I do indeed need help, but other than that, not as effective as other options. If I were on a PB, and could carry 20 or 30 flares, I would. In a kayak they are impractical.

the strobe keeps signaling , it forces your eye to it because it doesn't blend with background lights, lasts more than 5 seconds etc.

flare: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YQwDLRQv-QY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That's a little less effective than a bottle rocket.


smoke is a better option for daylight hours because it lasts much longer above the horizon. The real problem is that if you become separated from your boat and your signaling kit usually in the boat, the strobe is attached to your PFD. the only flare you can carry on your person are pen flares and they're worthless.

flares aren't bad, just not the best and definitely not good on their own. they should be part of a kit with multiple signaling devices, because not everything is going to work.

I should say that PP's rescue outline is standard operation and I am not differing on that. IMHO, flares are unreliable, but I'm not throwing mine away. I'm really trying to state the need for additional signaling devices, and the ACR firefly 2 is kick ass. It's what the CG and military use. Having a blinding, flashing, bombproof unit attached to my person that requires no skill or thought is a really good addition to the kit. It also fulfills the coast guard requirement for a white light on my vessel at all times.

You forgot...

STEP 4: Get eaten by the angry jellyfish!

I agree with Nanook.  Flares are not an ideal stand alone signaling device, but are a valuable option in your signaling arsenal for most common kayak fishing situations.

I will be looking at picking up one of those strobes to upgrade the one I currently have.  They do look bomb proof.

Nanook, could could check your rule book?  I know that PBrs operating offshore are required to have some form of aerial signaling device.  Does that apply to us kayakers also? 

Also fulfills coast guard regs, which I also learned require you to have one white light at all times, even during the day. They are required for all "low vis. conditions" night or day. the CG could pull you over on a sunny day and if you don't have a light, they will ticket you.

Really?  Because at a past event, we had Coast Guard Auxiliary do complementary inspections and this was one item that was not on the required list.

-Allen

they just came by the shop last week and dropped off the rule book, and gave me a nice, sleepy 30 minute lecture.

Can you quote the part where they say they can ticket you for not having a white light on a completely sunny day?  I agree that you are required to have one in low visibility situations.

-Allen

Also fulfills coast guard regs, which I also learned require you to have one white light at all times, even during the day. They are required for all "low vis. conditions" night or day. the CG could pull you over on a sunny day and if you don't have a light, they will ticket you.

Really?  Because at a past event, we had Coast Guard Auxiliary do complementary inspections and this was one item that was not on the required list.

-Allen

they just came by the shop last week and dropped off the rule book, and gave me a nice, sleepy 30 minute lecture.

Can you quote the part where they say they can ticket you for not having a white light on a completely sunny day?  I agree that you are required to have one in low visibility situations.

-Allen

that's what the old codger coastie told me, word for word even after debate. As with all law enforcement, the dude on the scene makes a discretionary call when issuing tickets/warnings. The CG just said they could ticket, not that they would.

Were you talking to on Duty Coast Guard personnel or Coast Guard Auxiliary?  Auxiliary folks are doing a community service and should be commended for it but I avoid them like the plague.  They often tend to blur the line between their education/monitoring role and the actual enforcement role the real coasties perform.

Which "rules of the road" book did they provide you? 

I just looked it up in my Chapman Piloting and Seamenship book 65th addition (2006)

Under US Coast Guard Minimum required safety equipment: pg 108
Visual distress signals*

following vessels are NOT required to carry DAY SIGNALS (notice it says carry not display)
Rec boats under 16ft
boats participating in organized events
open sail boats under 26ft without mechanical propulsion
Manually propelled boats