Flare 'Holder/container

[Redhead]

Hi all

We sometimes carry flares with us when kayaking if we are venturing a little further than usual. Up to now we have stored them under the deck or in the storage hatches at the front or back of the boat. This isnt ideal I guess if we were to fall otu of the boat or become seperated from the boat.

Do people keep them on their person, ie in their lifejacket etc. I have seen containers for flares but mostly bulky ones for use on boats. Can one purchase waterproof \'tubes\' for the flares that would fit in a lifejacket pocket or on to ones lifejacket?

[smurphy]

Ciaran Clissman swears by tupperware.... I\'ve seen it on his deck.

- Sarah.

[SeanHennessy]

You can get waterproof tubes from Knoydart. Looks too bulky to carry on your person - as I think any of the parachute flares would be, however you packaged them. I carry mine in a dry bag on my rear deck, with the flares individually protected inside ziploc freezer bags.

Mini flares are small enough to fit in a pfd pocket, but probably aren\'t much use.

Seán

[gspeller]

Like Ciaran I also keep my flares in a tupperware container, (long, thin one, no comments please) it holds 1 parachute flare, 1 handheld flare and 2 lightsticks.
I keep the container in the back pocket of my PFD (Ocean 4 pocket PFD) and have a cord attached to the container which then goes over my shoulder and is clipped to the front of the PFD,

[MOFarrell]

I use a tubberware container
(I have earmarked a spare in the kitcher - used for spagetti)
. . . to hole to handhelds and mini flares.
Stored in the day hatch.
If the weather is that bad I should attach me to my boat.

Michael O\'F

[DesKeaney]

The question of where to carry isn\'t easy. I used to carry so much in my PFD that it would barely float.
I now carry flares in a light drybag in my day hatch. It\'s good in that it\'s protected and out of the way and it keeps the weight low; it\'s bad in that if I get seperated from my boat, I\'m bunched.
I\'d be happy with a compromise of flares in/on boat and miniflares on body.
I strongly disagree about being selective as to when one brings flares. They should go every time.

[Dave]

I normally carry my flares in a dry bag. I either have them in a deck bag or in the day hatch. Couple of things to note. 1. Mini flares are about as effective as a storm match. i.e. useless. 2. When finished paddling flares should be removed from their container in order to prevent dampness. As we are paddling in all conditions hot and cold there will be a certain amount of condensation. Very few flares are waterproof and will deteriate rapidly if not removed from dry bags, tubberwares etc. 3. Check the dates on flares and try to replace them one at a time so the dates always overlap. 4. Ensure you know how to operate your flares before you need them. If you are in the water, it is not a good time to start trying to read directions.

[Redhead]

Thanks for all the replies. We usual travel as just a pair and while we stay close to shore at all times we would like to always carry the flares in case of emergency. As with flares I suppose Ideally you would ahve your VHF on your person aswell

[diamondp]

you can buy fully waterproof flares -about 50€ each. they are pocket sized and I carry two in my buoyancy aid. they have a smoke end for day and a flare end for night use and are effective and give peace of mind. avoids carrying boxes etc and are easy to use when your fingers are cold-which is most likely when you will have to. Boating shops carry or can order.

[EMurphy]

Pat Diamond\'s successful use of a flare last Summer in a real live situation should be noted as it definitely prevented the unfolding of a very serious incident at sea. Just wondering Pat, would you have managed to get at the flare if it was in a dry bag stored in the day hatch?

Eileen