Safety Signal Flare Questions

  Are the Orion brand handheld signal flares the standard favorite to carry?   And where do folks prefer to carry them?   The thought of pyrotechnics in a little drybag strapped to the PDF makes me admittedly a bit nervous, but if separated from the yak, that is where I would want them to be, with the VHF.   Anyone with real world experience when a flare or two was needed/helpful, or you wish you had carried a couple?  Thanks. -HS

You have to look at the chain events that would cause a kayak fisherman to need to resort to using flares. This will determine where you personally are comfortable keeping them. If it comes down to needing flares that means your life is in danger and if someone doesn't see this flare you might perish. Rule 1-redunduncy, have more than one in fact 3 flares is the recommended minimum. One you shoot off as soon as you realize you can't save yourself. Launch the second one 5 minutes later because people will be scanning by then. Save the third until you see help and use it to signal your position.
The life threatening situation you find yourself in will be caused by equipment failure, weather, or sea state. We can now add dangerous marine life to that list. These conditions more likely than not, will separate you from your kayak or cause it to become inoperable. Flares stowed away in a hatch could be rendered useless by the escalating series of events. Rule #2-always keep your flares on your person or in a ditch bag you keep within arms reach.
They have 2-3 fail safes built in so won't blow yourself up but you will likely suffer a nasty burn if you fumble the firing mechanism. I keep three in my vest. I use the standard coast guard pen flare. I climb in and out of my sea-kayak in open water all the time with full body weight on the projectiles and It's not an issue. I could say a lot more on flares but but my glass of Beam is getting low. I think you get the gist. You live in my area, sign up for one of my kayak safety classes, we cover everything,
-HAWK

Thanks for all the good info, Hawk.

Where/how best to get good CG pen flares?

http://www.bestglide.com/miniflare3_info.html   ?

Also, what's your website so I can look into your classes/tours.

-Matt

http://www.humboats.com/