Rescue colours

pugwash

New member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
985
Location
SW London
Visit site
The post below about lobster pots made me realize that if you really want something to be spotted at sea or in the sky you make it black. A black flag is in my experience a lot more visible than a fluorescent orange one. Which brings us to lifejackets and lifebuoys: is yellow/orange the best colour for rescue devices? Of course black is hopeless by night but you can't see any colour in the dark and should fit reflective tape. Daftest of all, imho, is the line of fashionable storm-weather gear with white shoulders: in the drink they'd surely make you invisible. Yellow/red/orange are prettier but black or navy blue work better -- agree?
 

scottie

Well-known member
Joined
14 Nov 2001
Messages
5,455
Location
scotland
Visit site
black stands out in minimal light if it is a regular shape
as background is not totally black
but dayglow is very impressive if you have seen reflective oilskin hoods
 

jamesjermain

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
2,723
Location
Cargreen, Cornwall
Visit site
Actually, I find black a very good colour at night, provides, as there almost always is, that there is enough light to see anything at all. Sky and sea is usually slightly grey against which a black square is oten surprisingly easy to pick out. All colours turn grey and vanish. This includes dayglow colours.

Black or blue colours for lifejackets and oilskins are not good ideas because they are almost impossible to see in daylight. White is, of course, hopeless by day or night except on a bright day with calm, deep blue seas - when you don't usually have a manoverboard situation.

At night the only solution is retroreflective tape. Add more, even to the best jackets because there are almost always blind spots.

JJ
 

billskip

Well-known member
Joined
6 Sep 2001
Messages
10,590
Visit site
Some time ago .(when tv was by smoke signal) the rescue services did an experiment ..and found red was best..they droped various colours into the sea and had pidgeons in a cage in a "copter" ..whenthe birds saw red they got excited..but not with other colours..also the birds could see the red before the crew...I allways paint red anitfowl cos if I go keel up I think I will be spotted sooner ....even if only by the birds..and Im also protected should they s*** all over me..
 

pugwash

New member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
985
Location
SW London
Visit site
Pigeons...!!!

Is human eyesight related to that of pigeons, I wonder? I'd have thought the earthy red of antifowling would be hard to spot, unless pollka-dotted with pigeon doo-dahs perhaps.
 

billskip

Well-known member
Joined
6 Sep 2001
Messages
10,590
Visit site
Re: Pigeons?

Pidgeons go to ssea in copters to spot us..

Pigeons are used for racin

Pigins are found in t"falger sq.
 

ccscott49

Active member
Joined
7 Sep 2001
Messages
18,583
Visit site
For day time identification, they know it doesnt matter what colour your wearing at night! They use reflective tape, so a seachlight makes them stand out, same as we do in the oilfields. Nothing but a light is going to show up at night, or not very well anyway!
 

pugwash

New member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
985
Location
SW London
Visit site
RNLI colours

I always wondered about that because I've always thought black was better, but of course it wouldn't look so glam on the postcards and badges.
 
Top