Out of date flares

[kind_cir]

Only ever take the boat out in the passage these days. The flares are now out of date.
Should I keep them on the boat for a while, just incase ?
Are they dangerous to use when out of date ?

[Fed]

Illegal to carry.

[dnej]

Under the legislation, you cannot keep out of date flares. I tried to have a day where out of date flares could be used, but no dice.
David

[Noelm]

This has been debated a thousand times, out of date flares are illegal, and you will be fined for having them, I won't go into the explosives business......

[kind_cir]

Thanks,
Will take em down to the Coast Guard.

[Marchy001]

Was only thinking today while boating with the kids (14 & 9) while running through the safety stuff. eg: I get knocked out or fall overboard, boat sinking bla bla bla what do you do, radio channels, finding coords on GPS, epirb. To my surprise they did really well. I also told them where the flares live and wondered if they would have any idea how to use them. Would love to give them a run through on how to use them but I'm guessing the fun police have made such an activity illegal am I correct?

[Jsmfun]

Correct ........... Common sense apparentlyis not a big thig with humans the government says

[Marchy001]

Thought as much.
They do pump out substantial amounts of smoke or light. We let them off regularly when I worked at at a survival school in Townsville but the amount of paperwork that had to be done closing areas to the public, aircraft, exclusion zone for boats was crazy!
However was good to see how effective they are.
I was 3 steps away from viewing signal fires and flares from the passenger seat of a PC9 but the pilot got called back for a family emergency

[dnej]

It is very hard to understand the logic. Why not allow a controlled situation, at say a VMR of such like, where you could try out your flares , as they near the end of their life.
In an emergency situation, most people would not have used them in a previously .

Some places do give demonstration on their use, but its not hands on.
David

[scottar]

I would just do it at home in the back yard - I have. They do burn extremely hot (burnt a hole in the concrete) and let off a lot of smoke ( shouldn't have let the one off out the back of work with the doors open - oops. ) so having somewhere to safely ditch the thing - NOT a bucket of water - all you get is steam and the things keep going (another lesson learned), is something to consider prior to ignition. Of course if you have rocket flares - probably not a good idea. There is actually quite a bit to using flares safely and at the right time and an emergency situation is not the right time to be learning.

[Crunchy]

+1 letting one off in the back yard if your game, I let an orange smoke off at night which isnt going to be seen to readily but thick smoke all over place as it was a calm night so choose a windy day, they make quite a pop when you pull the trigger too. Dropped it into a bucket of water but it kept on going, destroyed the bucket and organge crap everywhere, but at least I know how to deploy and what to expect if I need them in an emergency....

[lethal098]

Guys, if i could organise a Permit and provide some training on flares at Redcliffe Coast Guard, Who would come along and make a donation to us for the time etc.

You would need to bring along your own IN DATE flares though, or we could provide in date flares for additional charge.

let me know

Cheers Lee

[frosti]

take them to the soccer and let em off , its the multicultural thing to do

[dnej]

Lee,
The issue you have , as I stated, its no good unless its a hands on approach. The flares are also expensive, so that becomes another issue. I can see it working of you could get it organised for those that are nearing the end of the expiry date, and that could be done in batches I suspect.
Worth a try. Everyone boatie should use one before needing to use it for real. I would hate to be trying to read it first in the dark, and then not knowing what to expect.
A glove to me is a necessity, and should be kept with the flares.

David

[Mike Delisser]

I've seen quite a few getting lit up at midnight on New years eve. I'm not advocating it, but I'd be surprised if there were any repercussions for that.