Safety Puck- check it out

I came across this and can think of several times on the water where this would have come in handy.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/9-in-1-safety-flare-28031.aspx?kw=undefined&processor=content

pretty cool. I keep a couple of cyalume sticks in my bag. prob should have one attached to my PFD just in case

I keep one of these in my ditch bag:  http://www.nrs.com/product/2782/princeton-tec-eco-flare  Good and bright flashes.  Cheap too!  Was looking to buy another set of ariel flares and man, they are not cheap!

I carry these in my PFD along with a flashing PFD rescue light.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/orion--handheld-red-locator-flares-four-pack--8665770

I carry these in my PFD along with a flashing PFD rescue light.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/orion--handheld-red-locator-flares-four-pack--8665770

I looked at those, but they are not waterproof so wasn't sure if they will work when needed.  These are the ones that I have which are in waterproof containers, but do not last very long and are more expensive.  I carry one on my PFD, and 3 in my ditch bag: http://www.westmarine.com/buy/orion--skyblazer-ii-aerial-flares-four-pack--10344976

Sorry I posted wrong picture, the ones you have are same as mine.  They do have an expiration date, but I think that is just to satisfy the Coasties.  But I wouldn't bet my a__ on that, so will put the old ones in my ski boat that never goes on big blue and get new ones.

Thanks for the reminder gentlemen, I need to replace my flares.

That would be great on a boat if someone went overboard; especially at night (think Islander).
Toss whatever you can into the water when someone goes over. It will make it easier to follow the 'trail' back to that person. This would be ideal.

Why flares? It seems to me that a PLB would be a better option and probably not too much more expensive over the long run:

http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-ResQLink-Personal-Locating/dp/B006JXY0CQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431190912&sr=8-1&keywords=plb+gps

Why flares? It seems to me that a PLB would be a better option and probably not too much more expensive over the long run:

http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-ResQLink-Personal-Locating/dp/B006JXY0CQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431190912&sr=8-1&keywords=plb+gps

Because anyone from shore can see a flare.

There's a company called rotoflare or something. We use them at work. They are a pretty good warning device and pretty indestructable. We routinely run them over with fire engines, on accident.