Emergency flares are essential to anybody that intends to go out sailing, whether it is around the world or simply on an inshore lake, if something goes wrong, distress flares can make the difference between life and death. Sailing flares for sale vary depending on their intended use but the principal of emergency flares remains the same, that is, to enable a boat in distress to attract the attention of rescuers.
Distress Flares Usage Guide
•Distress flares are divided into three types, inshore, coastal and offshore. Offshore flares are recommended for any boat that intends to go further than 10miles out to see, coastal and inshore distress flares are self-explanatory. The main differences between these sailing flares (other than the price) are what the flares are capable of.
•Offshore distress flares can be fired up to 1000ft into the air and can be seen from more than 25miles away. These emergency flares are either fired by a flare gun or a by a rocket (similar to a firework). These distress flares float down on a parachute which enables them to be seen for over a minute.
•The other types of sailing flares for sale are the handheld types such as those offered by Hansson Ikaros . These are recommended for all uses, especially when inshore.
•Emergency flares are only of any use when somebody else can see them choose the moment to fire distress flares carefully. When it comes to firing sailing flares from a flare gun, hold the flare gun in both hands and aim roughly 60 degrees above the horizon (more in high winds), with the wind on your back. Make sure that you are not going to hit any other boats or buildings on land that could be caught on fire.
•Handheld sailing flares are very useful for inshore or coastal situations where the shorter line of sight is not such as issue. Handheld emergency flares are also very useful in offshore situations when a rescue helicopter or ship is nearby.
•Handheld emergency flares are ignited by different means and it is always highly recommended to check how your individual flares are operated a common method is by pulling on a chord or a chain that is on the bottom of the distress flares. These sailing flares are designed to be waved in the hand when standing on the deck of the boat. When using these distress flares, wave them over the edge of the boat to ensure that sailing flares will not set the boat on fire in the event that they are dropped.
•All emergency flares have an expiry date (usually 3 years after manufacture) printed on the side of them. All distress flares should be replaced if the expiry date is reached.
•Hansson Ikaros offer packs of sailing flares designed for different uses. For Instance the Offshore Emergency Flares Pack contains 4 rocket flares, 4 handheld flares and 2 smoke flares.
•It is recommended that the minimum amount of distress flares to have on board at any one time is four but of course it doesn’t hurt to have even more than that in the event of a real emergency and you end up relying on your sailing flares. Sailing flares come in waterproof containers but should be kept in a watertight container as an extra precaution.
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