Zane and I have been working on a survival vest project for BCP for the last month (film to follow soon!)

That said, in pursuit of this endeavor, I have been testing out some cool new (and old) gear...

One of the items that I have really been impressed with was a suggestion by AKgreg, the Rescue Laser Light from Greatland Laser. http://www.greatlandlaser.com/ I went ahead and ordered the RLL013-01 and did some testing and was super impressed. Suffice to say it made the cut and is in my vest.



One of the things I was concerned about was the legality and danger associated with pointing this thing at aircraft. I realize that when you need to be found, all things are kind of out the window, but for sure I didnt want to damage another pilots vision or cause another incident regardless of the situation. Wanting to learn a bit more about the laser, I got in contact with one of the owners Andy Little. Turns out one of the original founders ran an air transport out of ANC and they are keen on supporting the pilot community, especially the back country crowd.



Greatland Laser actually has some substantive data regarding their products use, and not only is the flare legal to use in a SAR situation, because the way the beam is dispersed, it will not do damage to another pilots eyes.

Anyway... In support of BCP and what Zane is doing, Kim and Andy have generously offered to extend a 20% discount to all BCP members thru the end of the year!

They have three models, but Andy recommends the smallest (http://www.greatlandlaser.com/rescue-laser-light/) for the backcontry crowd as it is the most compact.

Neither I, nor BCP have a vested interest in this deal. I think its awesome that Greatland Laser wants to support BCP, so if you think you want a kick ass solution to enhance your day/night SAR chances of being found, I'd check this out...

When you checkout on the Greatland site, enter the coupon code "backcountrypilot" to get your discount. BTW... USPS priority shipping is FREE! I'd be interested to hear about what others think.

Their vid:

Ordered one!

Have one in my vest already. Good reminder to check my batteries though. Nice networking

DANGER: DO NOT LOOK INTO LASER WITH REMAINING EYE The sign on my brother's lab door (he's a laser physicist).

Great job! Wish I'd gotten that deal when I bought mine.

I purchased the green light model several years ago, primarily for expedition kayaking. I gravitate towards subdued colors so any aerial search would simply not find me without some sort of beacon. It's well made and works as advertised. I sealed the switch with silicone tape and cary it in my life jacket pocket where it's regularly soaked and it still works perfectly.

In Steven Callahan's book "Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea" (an excellent read, by the way) on several occasions his life raft drifted within sight of ships in the night, but even after launching multiple flares he was not spotted. That surprised me. In his analysis he points out that unless someone is actually looking within a pretty small slice of where your flare is going off, it's not going to be noticed.

From this perspective a battery powered "flare" is a good deal...you can keep trying. I'm a bit on the fence regarding how effective or useful they are for a ground to air signal though. In the day time I think you'd have to actually hit a pilot's eye to get recognition, and that's an really small target, moving fast and far away. At night I sort of suspect that the strobe function of a high intensity LED flashlight would be every bit as effective. I know that even in shadow the strobe is highly visible and a real attention getter for over a mile. I've never done any real testing with the laser so that's just my impression. I cary it both kayaking and in the plane and I'm glad I have it...just not sure how much I'd stake on it.

One of the things that I think is cool about this laser is that the beam gets wider and wider the further it goes. It's very different than a pen laser where you would have to actually hit the target. This is also the reason it is safer for the pilot and don't have to worry about eye damage.

I agree about daytime signaling though. Unless somebody is actually looking for you it would be hard to get the attention of a passerby who doesn't know you're down there.

That said, I think it's more accurate than the signal mirror. but I got them both in the just just in case….

Thank you Greatland Laser for the community discount.

Like Greg said, neither he nor I are receiving commission or advertising fees. It's just cool to see a vendor give BCP a healthy discount. Good PR, wise move.

Maybe Lycoming should follow suit

Great post, got it! I will also get another one for my E pack which my wife makes sure I have when I go backpacking, contains SPOT and a SPOT Sat phone. My insurance isn't worth enough yet.

I've carried one of their laser flares for years in the vests I built for work and in my own. They work.

As noted, they're best used as a night signal, as opposed to daytime, but if you sweep the cockpit of a search airplane with one of these, even during daylight, it's pretty noticeable, since the light shows up inside the cockpit. We experimented with this in a few off airport ski clinics we ran, though this was generally in low sun angle situations.

I totally agree that conventional flares are almost useless for rescue signaling. I was hauling fuel on the south end of Kodiak Island one time, back and forth, and some guys were trying to get my attention. They shot off all their flares....bright daylight. Finally, with their last flare, they decided to shoot me down.....fired one right across my bow, and got my attention. Even then it was hard to see. And, even at night, it's at best a momentary signal.

Signal mirrors are probably the best daytime signal.

MTV

mtv wrote:Signal mirrors are probably the best daytime signal.

The DNRC here in Plains was doing a thing for fire fighters to get use to working with a helicopter.
On the return of the two flight's made a guy on the ground would pull out a signal mirror with the helicopter several miles out. It was radioed back that they could see it and it's very bright.

Anyone else take advantage of this??

Not sure what mine is, as I'm not close to my vest?? But have had it in my vest since 2000, have tried it out when first got it to see how it worked, pretty impressive to say the least, if it hits you in the cockpit from a couple of miles out even in the daylight it will get your attention.
So far so good, it is working well! Have not had to use it!!

Disclaimer: I have never been involved in a SAR with a LAZER. Do not own one, or tried one. However, I do have a lightly weighed opinion...

Personal (small vest size) strobes for day (limited) and night (best) are my first choice. A strobe light is also an internationally recognized distress signal under many SAR agreements. If used properly, a strobe light, provides 360 degrees of visibility and requires little user knowledge.

For day, a signal mirror is cheap and EFFECTIVE but, requires practice.

Note: Flown over a 1000 hours of SAR ( including routine patrols) for USGC in reciprocating singles and twins. Participated in surface ship SAR and patrols. Have 3000+ hours of sea time. Previous USCG AUX SAR check pilot, aircraft inspector and coxswain.

Which reminds me, I should be heading to the marina now... Getting ready for Molokai!!

8GCBC wrote:Disclaimer: I have never been involved in a SAR with a LAZER. Do not own one, or tried one. However, I do have a lightly weighed opinion...

Personal (small vest size) strobes for day (limited) and night (best) are my first choice. A strobe light is also an internationally recognized distress signal under many SAR agreements. If used properly, a strobe light, provides 360 degrees of visibility and requires little user knowledge.

For day, a signal mirror is cheap and EFFECTIVE but, requires practice.

Note: Flown over a 1000 hours of SAR ( including routine patrols) for USGC in reciprocating singles and twins. Participated in surface ship SAR and patrols. Have 3000+ hours of sea time. Previous USCG AUX SAR check pilot, aircraft inspector and coxswain.

Which reminds me, I should be heading to the marina now... Getting ready for Molokai!!

Try one sometime on the receiving end, will work WAY better than that little flashing strobe hooked to your vest! Yep I have one of those in mine also!(strobe)

M6RV6 wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Disclaimer: I have never been involved in a SAR with a LAZER. Do not own one, or tried one. However, I do have a lightly weighed opinion...

Personal (small vest size) strobes for day (limited) and night (best) are my first choice. A strobe light is also an internationally recognized distress signal under many SAR agreements. If used properly, a strobe light, provides 360 degrees of visibility and requires little user knowledge.

For day, a signal mirror is cheap and EFFECTIVE but, requires practice.

Note: Flown over a 1000 hours of SAR ( including routine patrols) for USGC in reciprocating singles and twins. Participated in surface ship SAR and patrols. Have 3000+ hours of sea time. Previous USCG AUX SAR check pilot, aircraft inspector and coxswain.

Which reminds me, I should be heading to the marina now... Getting ready for Molokai!!

Try one sometime on the receiving end, will work WAY better than that little flashing strobe hooked to your vest! Yep I have one of those in mine also!(strobe)

Never had a chance to try a "signal" LAZER. Definitely interested in the subject of being found fast if needed! Good thread. It's a law (federal and state) to carry flares, EPIRB (about time) on my little boat.

Flares and signal rockets scare me. We practice with them and can be very dangerous to deploy and store. Smoke bombs and water dye is useless in the Easterly Trades.

Just ordered mine, I am glad this came up at this time since I am trying to put together a survival vest

8GCBC wrote:For day, a signal mirror is cheap and EFFECTIVE but, requires practice.

Also requires a visible sun. But could be combined with a strobe for an overcast day. I've never seen how effective that is though.

I'll probably pick up a laser flare for my survival kit when I get done paying for some maintenance items that have come up.

I've done quite a few day CSAR events from the cockpit and once as the survivor on the ground. The mirror was always the most effective signaling device during the day.

Thanks for the discount and support Greatland. Looks like a good product and great Christmas present for Dad.....I ordered 2!

Afternoon all

Just tried to order 3, one for my vest and a Christmas present for each of my hangar neighbours, no joy.

Unfortunately Greatland won't ship internationally and the only local agent wants $175AUD (~$125 USD) each.

Will have to add a couple to next year's "shopping list" when back in USA for Oshkosh.

Oz

Just ordered mine, Thanks!

gunny