So far, we’ve lived with the simple knowledge that everything in the universe must reach its eventual end. If you ever find yourself lighting a flare to signify distress, something is seriously wrong with you. But you must have them, and considering that they are tools for desperate times, will they let you down when you need them the most?
No, much to your relief, road flares do not expire. All pyrotechnic devices must be labeled according to federal requirements. The expiry date is one stipulation. “The expiry date shall not be more than 42 months from the date of production,” it specifies.
This restriction exists to make it more difficult for you to have defective flares onboard because the Coast Guard recognizes that many boaters can’t be trusted to examine them on a regular basis. They can deteriorate, corrode, or be destroyed, yet they can not truly perish.
The Day Ends And Night Ends
Don’t give up if you’ve burned through the night ends of your day/night flares. At night, the “day” finish is ideal. That’s because the “day” flare produces not just orange smoke, but extremely hot orange smoke.
The lengthy trail of hot smoke will form an ever-widening wedge that will point directly towards you, making it one of the most apparent signals to search planes.
The “daytime usage” orange smoke is perhaps more effective than the dazzling 20 to 30-second “night” flare. When alerting any search aircraft (or vessel), keep in mind that the flare’s end remains highly hot long after the item has gone out.
Life Rafts Can Be Deflated Using Flares
Dripping pyrotechnic flares are a kind of phosphorus that, when ignited, may generate a liquid-hot drop of molten anguish. If you let the things fall upon your life-raft, you’ll have a hole and fast evacuating air.
So, if you find yourself deploying a portable flare, attempt to position it downwind and hang it as far as possible over the edge of life rafts and inflatable vessels.
Storage Issues
Boats are awful locations to store items, especially those that are impacted by temperature and humidity (like flares). Flares are frequently stored in Ziploc bags. Though it provides some moisture protection, it does not protect against impact damage if they are bumped around in a drawer or on the shelf behind the navigation table.
What do the professionals do? Flares are kept in a plastic box. Watertight storage is ideal, but I go a step further and include a desiccant package to ensure that the flares (and any strikers) remain completely dry.
You Won’t Know What You’re Doing If You Don’t Practice
Things have gone extremely wrong by the time you need to ignite these things. It is not a good moment to read instructions. You are not prepared if you have never used the sort of flare you have. It is not difficult to practice legally and safely; simply notify your local Coast Guard district where you want to fire some practice flares.
This should ideally be done offshore, at least a half-mile (or downwind) from other vessel traffic. Flares emit dangerous smoke and gases. To practice, use expired flares that are the same brand and model as the ones you have aboard.
If you don’t have any expired flares, get a new set to burn. It’s worthwhile. You’ll be alright if you follow the instructions and do everything the maker says.
The Meaning Behind Flare Colours
Colour is one of the primary characteristics between flare kinds. A white flare is used to announce non-emergency situations, such as finishing a race, whereas red flares are used to signal an emergency. The presence of strontium nitrate gives red flares their characteristic hue.
There are also aerial and hand-held signals, which are exactly what they sound like. In general, aerial signals are more effective in attracting the attention of rescue vessels. They shoot up into the air, creating a brighter spectacle that brightens a region.
They may also remain in the region for an extended period of time if they are parachute flares (more on them soon).
Flare Guns
The operation of a flare gun is quite similar to that of a standard rifle. When you pull the trigger, the hammer strikes a detonating cap. The detonating cap both fires and ignites the flare. The cannon should be pointing up in the air, vertically.
You should save your signals and use them sparingly. If you’re heading out on the water, always carry a good supply of flares that are no more than a few years old. If you require assistance, you may need to deploy several flares, or flares of varied sorts, to alert and attract rescue craft to your position.
Flare cannons can also be used for reasons other than signaling. Some outdoor enthusiasts carry flare guns to frighten off animals.
A Criminal Offence
Over time, the chemicals in the flares degrade, causing them to misfire and hurt anybody around. It is prohibited to burn a flare if there is no emergency. Keep children away from you – they can kill!
Flares are classified as hazardous materials and must be disposed of in the same way as explosives and fireworks are (check with municipal services). Expired flares are unlawful to burn, and they are not accepted by landfills, police, or fire departments.
Flares are illegal and harmful in the United Kingdom. If you leave flares outside the facilities of the coast guard, RNLI, police, or fire department, you may face prosecution. Children may pick up flares and be gravely harmed or killed as a consequence.
Conclusion
The flares are bad if the case is damaged or degraded in any manner. All else being equal, flares outlive their expiry date. That doesn’t mean you can count them as your needed flares aboard (rules are rules), but it doesn’t mean you can’t store them for emergency use.
