The discussion re: bear spray highlighted another question for me; emergency flares, so to avoid a drift I'll ask the question here. What is the general consensus of the BCP community on a good flare gun, hand flare or other such emergency signaling method. I currently have an inexpensive plastic device in my survival barrel but is there a better product to be carrying ?

I like a 12G flare used in a 12G shotgun

Less stuff to carry for more uses

No need/use for a scatter gun, I would prefer something that fits inside the waterproof survival barrel I carry as well.

I wear a vest while flying in the back country, on it I have a Garmin InReach and have chosen that for communication and location sharing. At least where I live and fly (mostly Idaho), a flare would be a pretty serious forest fire hazard so I haven't ever packed them. I do carry a signal mirror though.

No first hand experience with these, but laser “flares”?

CParker wrote:I wear a vest while flying in the back country, on it I have a Garmin InReach and have chosen that for communication and location sharing. At least where I live and fly (mostly Idaho), a flare would be a pretty serious forest fire hazard so I haven't ever packed them. I do carry a signal mirror though.

I carry a Garmin InReach as well, its a great device. I hadn't thought about a forest fire risk, good consideration.

I like the idea of that laser flare, thanks for the point out.

I like the idea of the battery powered laser flare! I'll still keep a flare pistol in my kit though, but may look into getting the laser one also, as mentioned, I have always worried about the potential for starting a fire with a flare.
In the military, we had these little flare launchers that were quite small (40+ years ago). Pen flares if I remember correctly, small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

The laser flares are great because they have pretty extended battery life, you are not just limited to hoping somebody is looking during the brief window you have when a regular flare is lit. On the other hand, the pyro flares are pretty impressive visually for the brief time they operate.

One way to look at the risk of starting a forest fire with a flare: Someone will notice, and you may get to meet some nice wildland firefighters.....

Buy a laser flare, as Troy said, it's a multi use device, not just one time. They work great at night, and at great distances.

MTV

mtv wrote:One way to look at the risk of starting a forest fire with a flare: Someone will notice, and you may get to meet some nice wildland firefighters.....

[snip]....

MTV

Yes, "someone" might[?!!!] notice... And a flare gun deployed in the late spring, summer, or fall might send a wall of flame toward you if it's shot in an upwind direction

All things are seasonal. Early spring, late fall, Winter a flare gun or handheld flares might make the difference between having signal fires and soggy wood.

And another consideration is that signal mirror, plus extra batteries for your laser flare are easy to carry in a survival vest which is on my person rather than with the camping gear in the baggage compartment.

Also a great excuse to get a 37mm launcher

Don't need the sights and all that extra weight. Besides, ATF frowns on personal ownership of HE rounds or WP. Not to mention carrying the weapons in a personal aircraft. I suggest joining the army for toys like these. I haven't fired one of the prior generation of these things since... Another serious disadvantage is their range. Lighting an intentional fire for warmth or cooking just wouldn't be in the cards.

NineThreeKilo wrote:Also a great excuse to get a 37mm launcher

PapernScissors wrote:Don't need the sights and all that extra weight. Besides, ATF frowns on personal ownership of HE rounds or WP. Not to mention carrying the weapons in a personal aircraft. I suggest joining the army for toys like these. I haven't fired one of the prior generation of these things since... Another serious disadvantage is their range. Lighting an intentional fire for warmth or cooking just wouldn't be in the cards.

NineThreeKilo wrote:Also a great excuse to get a 37mm launcher

Got less than zero desire to join the military of today

That 37mm isn’t a NFA item, infact it’s a ship to your door item, flying with rifles and such isn’t much of a issue ether

But yeah, it’s not practical, it’s more something fun to practice with, seen some 3 gun style matches where they incorporate those launchers and chalk rounds


For the OP I’d probably go with the laser type flare I first mentioned

Didn’t know about laser flares before this thread, I’ll be adding on to my kit.

NineThreeKilo wrote:Also a great excuse to get a 37mm launcher

No way, not a chance, not the least bit interested on any level

CParker wrote:Didn’t know about laser flares before this thread, I’ll be adding on to my kit.

Absolutely, this is a must have in my opinion.

Any recommendations on which brand laser flare?… Red or green?

Not the same type of device as the laser flare discussed above, but I have one of these:

https://www.greatlandlaser.com/rescue-l ... g-devices/

Small enough to easily fit in one of the small pockets of my survival vest. Big difference is it has to be directed rather than being an ‘omnidirectional’ device.

I have the same greatland laser as Belloypilot. I see Aircraft Spruce sells them. Red laser, I tested it by shining it at the control tower (relax, I called them on the phone first).

I know someone with an M72 hanging in his hangar but it's a lot bulkier.

I saw that same one. Was thinking of adding it to my next spruce order. Does anyone have experience with the directional vs omnidirectional style and pros/cons?