Safety Flares
Stars reflected on the ocean's calm surface as I pried the second signal flyer removed from my emergency my dive float. I pushed forward the plastic orange safety sheath and exposed a small screw cap. It unscrewed easily, providing access to the metal trigger chain. So far, everything was working as planned. The business end was pointed in the sky and I pulled the trigger chain.
Nothing happened: no safety flare lighting up the night sky for ten seconds...not a poof, pop, whoosh or even a little smoke.
The first flare had also been a dud.
What was I doing wrong, did I pull the chain too slowly? I gawked at the thin metal chain in my hand and recalled Allen Chellberg's comment, “Don’t bet your life on a solitary safety flare”.
Many years ago, Allen went through two dud flares while drifting off the middle grounds after sunset. His third flare fired an orange ball of light into the sky, and the boat retrieved him safely before being swallowed by the night.
My third and last flare kind-of worked. It burned out within three seconds but the package stated ten seconds of illumination. Meanwhile, I nervously scanned the scene for over- zealous cops. I was relieved when no one drove up to cite me for illegal fire works on the forth of July.
'Knowing all your gear' includes safety and first aid equipment not just your spear gun. I should add the flares were purchased in 2002 and appeared to be in good working condition.
Disclaimer: please don’t violate local, state or federal laws while testing safety gear, even if they are roman candles, bottle rockets, or flares.
Stars reflected on the ocean's calm surface as I pried the second signal flyer removed from my emergency my dive float. I pushed forward the plastic orange safety sheath and exposed a small screw cap. It unscrewed easily, providing access to the metal trigger chain. So far, everything was working as planned. The business end was pointed in the sky and I pulled the trigger chain.
Nothing happened: no safety flare lighting up the night sky for ten seconds...not a poof, pop, whoosh or even a little smoke.
The first flare had also been a dud.
What was I doing wrong, did I pull the chain too slowly? I gawked at the thin metal chain in my hand and recalled Allen Chellberg's comment, “Don’t bet your life on a solitary safety flare”.
Many years ago, Allen went through two dud flares while drifting off the middle grounds after sunset. His third flare fired an orange ball of light into the sky, and the boat retrieved him safely before being swallowed by the night.
My third and last flare kind-of worked. It burned out within three seconds but the package stated ten seconds of illumination. Meanwhile, I nervously scanned the scene for over- zealous cops. I was relieved when no one drove up to cite me for illegal fire works on the forth of July.
'Knowing all your gear' includes safety and first aid equipment not just your spear gun. I should add the flares were purchased in 2002 and appeared to be in good working condition.
Disclaimer: please don’t violate local, state or federal laws while testing safety gear, even if they are roman candles, bottle rockets, or flares.
