MBM - video of rescue flares

Hi Fireball,

You're right, a proper comparative test would have involved incendiary flares. Unfortunately getting permission to let off pyrotechnics like that is not easy, and we have to play by the rules (or at least be seen to play by the rules).

The red flare at 1.25 miles was visible to the naked eye, but not to the pretty simply video camera we were using. A request for a better quality one has been lodged. This thread might help move things along...

Stewart
 
I think a comparison with pyrotechnic flares is essential. I'm sure the Coastguard would assist if necessary.
 
A good test glad I have seen it I need new flares this year. I must say that I was a little dissapointed with both the "flares", they were obvously very directional. A conclusion is that a normal port or starboard side light is more visible than a laser flare at 2miles? Why not put a side light on a stick and wave it about then . . . . . . .

Also 1.25 miles is just about across the harbour in Dover no great distance, a carside light has no trouble being seen at that distance if you see what I mean.

IF you decide to repeat this test with conventional flares for comparison could you also include other common devices such as a maglight torch and one of those cheap rechargable led torches etc.

Cheers
 
yup - I know getting permission to let off proper flares is a little tricky - but I'm sure the CG & RNLI would be happy to assist in a proper constructive trial which would give you an authoritative review of what is potentially a far safer method of raising attention in the absense of VHF ...
 
Hi Marsupial,

All excellent points, and taken on board. The red flare was quite directional, but the green one was clearly visible even when held at an acute angle to the recording team. This doesn't show up in the video unfortunately, but is mentioned in the magazine along with many other points. The video also fails to do justice to the brightness of the flares – the green one at 1.25 miles was almost blinding, and lit up a house behind us quite brilliantly. It's hard to imagine a side light or torch doing the same. With a better video camera, perhaps this might have come through more clearly.

There's clearly scope for a wider, more thorough test involving some of the maritime authorities and other methods of signalling, and this is something we'll look into.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Stewart
 
But flashing a green light is not an internationally accepted distress signal so would be ignored. If I saw a flashing green light at sea I'd assume it was just someone mucking about.
 
These laser thingies are small enough to fit on your person, in a pouch on your life jacket, in your pocket etc. So if you went over the side and you could see the boat you fell from you could shine the light at them and they could get back to you. This is where I personally see the biggest plus point of them.

Pyrotechnics are a one shot deal, these lasers have a life of many hours and an infinite shelf life and don't need to be disposed of /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think if you were sailing and saw a flashing green light you might thing it's another boat, or a navigation mark, whether that would make you look at the chart, turn the VHF on, or go and investigate is the big question.

But the small red one would be a good thing to have on your life jacket, and it's a lot easier to operate that the mini flares I currently have in my life jacket at the moment

The video really doesn't do them justice. As Stuart said, when they get you in the eye from over a mile away and you have to turn away because they are bright they really were impressive, but I personally don't see them as a replacement for pyrotechnics
 
I agree with the concept, but would prefer to use red as that instinctively means danger. Not knocking the concept, just the colour.

I'd love to ditch flares altogether as they become more and more of a pain to dispose of.

I also agree totally with the mob situation. Clip on on to the lifejacket when at sea at night so if necessary it's immediately available. I've used a strobe when night diving for the same reason for quite a while. White flashing. Can be seen from quite a way off.

I'll be watching further tests with interest. Now how do we replace smoke flares for use during the day????
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've used a strobe when night diving for the same reason for quite a while. White flashing. Can be seen from quite a way off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Doing a life jacket light test some years ago, we found that while the strobes had good visibility, trying to pick them up out of the water in the dark was really quite hard, when you get close to them the FLASH is blinding, you loose your night vis and you can't see what you're trying to pick up FLASH and the whole chain starts again! FLASH come ere, I'll 'ave ee this time FLASH ARRRG!
 
Ah but we were in a dive boat with a damned big bright light on so no night vision to start with!

Yes the MOB requirements are different which is why I like the rescue flare idea. Mind you if you were in the water trying to attract the attrention of the boat you will be shining it towards the helmsman. Oops bright red / green light straight in the eyes. No night vision,

Sorry, just being picky.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Yes the MOB requirements are different which is why I like the rescue flare idea. Mind you if you were in the water trying to attract the attrention of the boat you will be shining it towards the helmsman. Oops bright red / green light straight in the eyes. No night vision,

Sorry, just being picky.

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The lasers have a very fine beam (in a fan shape) and at 1/4 of a mile away it was hard for the tester to aim the laser directly at my camera, and he was on dry land.

In the water, it would be all you could do to point it vaguely at the yacht, but they yacht would see the light, but it wouldn't be for long enough to see red dots /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif And as long as you don't blind all the crew you'll still have a chance of being rescued /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I think this technology, or something like it is the way forward. These particular products may be flawed but the theory should be properly researched and evaluated and something a bit better will almost certainly appear in the future.

The prospect of a rescue 'flare' or anti-collision 'flare' that has an almost indefinite shelf-life, a life in-use of several hours, and doesn't need bomb disposal officers to de-activate has to be something to look forward to.

The makers would have to address such issues as partly used laser flares (can they be recharged?), omnidirectionality (sorry!) and the potential danger to eyesight of really bright lasers but these things can be overcome, I'm sure.

Now, how about attaching them to a non-explosive propellant and a parachute and sending them up to 300ft.
 
yup - I agree - these products have massive potential ... and as with all new products they need to be evaluated alongside competitor products... (if any exist!).

I hadn't thought of these as "personal flares" ... but I can see that they'd be very good for those MOB situations - I can certainly see race crews getting these or the devices being incorporated within lifejackets with auto triggers.

As you suggest - some method of firing it up ala parachute rocket would be handy too ... perhaps a compressed air version ?
 
The big red one in the pic on the link works with AA batteries, the smaller ones work with lithiums that are replaceable.

Instead of being a pin prick of light the are a fan, so at the range of 16 miles which they quote the height of the fan should be 6,000 ft IIRC

so if you shine them at a wall you'll see | not . if you get what I mean /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here's a link to them: http://www.rescue-flares.co.uk/Rescue_laser_flare.html
 
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