Signal flares?

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

I'm leaving for a camping trip in Maine on Sunday that will take us to some relatively remote spots. The last time we were there, we kind of wished we had a rocket signal flare with us in case of emergency. This time I figured I'd pick one up at Roach's.

The guys at Roach's told me that they don't have 'em, and suggested I try Tags. Tags doesn't have 'em. EMS doesn't seem to have them. Any suggestions for possible local sources? I have a Zipcar for Saturday afternoon, so I can go pretty far afield if I need to.

Comments

[ron_newman]

Maybe Hilton's Tent City?

I wonder if this is considered an illegal firework in Massachusetts, and if you can buy it at LL Bean's in Maine.

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Seb,
Boxell's Chandlery on B street in Boston certainly has them.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Wow, an interesting, useful business in South Boston. Are they a relic of the area's maritime past?

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Boxell's has been there forever; I've been going there for more than 20 years.

[infinitehotel.livejournal.com]

It's been a while since I've done any serious backwoods camping; is shooting up a flare in the middle of the woods the recommended method for getting help? With the exception of Bar Harbor, the forest fire index for everywhere in Maine today is moderate to high so your rescuers might find themselves with a much larger problem if the wind blows your flare into dry tinder.

What about a decent two-way radio and the frequency of the nearest ranger station? Radio Shack probably has a decent CB transceiver for under $100.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

If you're interested in signal flares for emergency rescue, you should know what a Personal Locator Beacon is.

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm Doin It Wrong then.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Nah. Do what ever works. Just know your options.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

REI seems like they'd have that...you could try calling. If not, I'd bet LL Bean would.

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

flares don't work so well in the woods -- very limited line of sight. Also, if no one is actively looking, they don't get noticed. A much better bet is a locator beacon. Yes, they are significantly more expensive (250-300+ vs $20), but they are much more likely to work in the woods.

The least expensive, and most likely to actually work solution: detailed trip itinerary left with multiple people, who are expecting you to check in at particular times and all who know who is the responsible SAR organization in the area.

the PLB will help find someone who is lost, but if no one knows to search, its useless

[xuth.livejournal.com]

I guess my first question would be: Who are you trying to reach with your flare? If you're trying to notify someone in your party I would start with a whistle and radios. If it's something of a 911 call, then you absolutely want a personal locator beacon. I'd still take the whistle too.

For reference, three blasts of a whistle (or most any sound (canned air horn?)) repeated regularly is a distress call. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_signal) says one rep per minute but depending on who you ask more frequently is also recognized.

[frotz.livejournal.com]

Note also that people who own boats tend to accumulate them and might hand you a pack for free; they have a certified shelf life of a few years, then need replacing. (Though I'm also with those above who say "wait, are you sure you want that?")

Any of the 400000 West Marine branches in the area will also surely have them, but Boxell's has a lot more personality.