Not only are flares a mandatory safety device for your boat, but everybody onboard should know how to use one in the event of an emergency. 

There are four types of flares approved by Transport Canada, categorized by the letters A, B, C and D. Some are handheld or thrown into the water, while others are fired into the sky. Regardless of which type of you keep on board, make sure you're familiar with the steps for firing them, as the procedure varies from one manufacturer to the next.

Type A  Fired through a cylinder tube, Type A flares produce a distinctly red star and deploy a parachute to slow its descent. It can reach a maximum height of approximately 300 meters (1,000 feet) and burns for 40 seconds at 30,000 candlepower. Type A flares are known as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) signal rockets. SOLAS is an international treaty designed to protect the safety of merchant ships, so the standards requirements for safety are higher than those of Transport Canada's for pleasure craft boats. All vessels should carry SOLAS-approved flares.

Type B  The Type B sky-blazer flare is a multi-star red aerial flare. There are two styles, the handheld cylinder and 12-gauge launching pistol. Both fire two red signals up to 100 metres (300 feet) high at a brightness level of 15,000 candlepower and burn for four to five seconds. They are also waterproof and conveniently float.

Type C  While quite visible at night, type C flares are clearly visible in daylight as well, due to the abundance of smoke they produce. Type C flares are ideal to use in a secondary role to aerial flares. There are three types of firing mechanisms within the C class. Type 1 burns for three minutes and has a candlepower of 700. Type 2 and 3 are SOLAS-approved, have a burn time of one minute and a brightness rating of 15,000 candlepower.

Type D  Available in two versions - a SOLAS water emersion flare and handheld flare, similar to the type C type one flare. The SOLAS model comes in a can, which is thrown, downwind into the water after activation, burning for three minutes. The handheld version burns for one minute. Both styles create a distinctive orange cloud of smoke that is visible for up to eight kilometres or 4.5 nautical miles in daylight.

Using Aerial Flares

Using aerial flares requires three basic steps as follows:

1. Aim the flare above eye level and into the wind at a 45- to 90-degree angle with the flare's arrow directed upwards.

2. Turn your face away from the flare when firing.

3. Once a search and rescue team craft has spotted your flare, wait ten seconds then fire a second one to accurately determine your position. Most aerial flares are visible up to 50 kilometres or 27 nautical miles. It should be fired in an open area where there's no risk of inflicting damage.

Using Handheld Flares

Tips for using handheld flares include:

1. Always hold a lit handheld flare over the side of your boat downwind - you don't want hot ash particles landing on anything flammable inside your boat or to inhale all the smoke generated by the flare.

2. Never wave this type of flare above your head - your hair is flammable too! Handheld flares are built for signalling rescue craft at a closer range.

For additional information visit the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons website (www.cps-ecp.ca) about obtaining its distress signalling instructional video.
 

Source:  http://www.boatguidecanada.com/2009/12/using-flares.html#more ©

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