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Introduction
to :First Level Personal Preparedness:
Communication Devices : Flares
& Markers
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Flares
& Markers,
a subset of Communication
Devices, are divided
into four sub-categories that are relevant to the citizen.
Electronic Flares , Incendiary Flares
, Markers & Marshalling Wands
The
purpose of a flare or marker is to visually signal distress
to persons in over flying aircraft, water craft, land vehicles
as well as on foot. Flares have two main functions . First
and foremost , they signal distress. As a mayday maritime
signal, it's function is to provide a last ditch effort to
capture the attention of potential rescuers. In all cases
in modern societies, flares are recognized signals that something
is wrong or someone is in need of rescue at the location of
the signal. The second function of a flare is to narrow the
'landing zone' for rescuers- enabling them to get a more accurate
fix on the precise location of the distressed parties. Markers
may be used individualy or in arrays to mark a rescue location,
cordon off the scene of an emergency or to delineate a safe
landing site for rescue aircraft.
Incendiary Flares evolved from ancient smoke signals
as well as torches and fires used by peoples over the millennia
in order to communicate over great distances. These are the
common pyrotechnics that range from simple traffic flares
all the way to parachuted aerial flares with ranges of a hundred
feet or more. Incendiary flares also range from static hand
held flares that by day put out vast plumes of brightly colored
smoke to handheld night flares that may be seen from many
miles away. The aerial type of flare is used in circumstances
where the desire is to significantly widen the circle of visual
reach as well as in circumstances where topographic or architectural
obstructions may otherwise diminish the visibility of a handheld
flare. Incendiary flares are popular over water as they simply
fall to the water when spent- mitigating potential fire hazard.
Due to the pyrotechnic nature of incendiary flares, they are
regulated and their shipment may carry a surcharge. They also
have expiry dates for efficacy and with a few exceptions,
require careful use to prevent accidental burning or other
mishaps.
Electronic
Flares are a relatively recent phenomenon that range
from electronic road flares and traffic wands to esoteric
laser based flares that may be seen from many miles away by
an aircraft. Electronic flares such as the laser flare, require
some careful aim at an aircraft or vessel or they must have
a reflective target that may be seen airplanes or boats. The
main advantage of these devices is that they do not rely on
dangerous chemicals and they may be used for long durations
or intermittently for many hours.
Markers
are similar to flares but are a special sub-class of products
that contain sophisticated programmable electronics that are
capable of signaling a variety of 'messages' to onlookers.
The conspicuous characteristics of these products are that
they allow the user to match the signal to the specific context
or emergency.
Marshalling
Wands are electronic derivatives of handheld flashlights
that are used to control traffic as well as to mark and cordon
a scene. In essence they are a hybrid of flashlights, flares
and markers.
Disclaimer- Please Read
Although we've made an effort to inform the consumer about
the availability, human factors and usability of these special
products, we make no claim for either their technical or contextual
efficacy. As such, the reader assumes all responsibility for
the selection, training, deployment and maintenance of these
products for use in emergencies.
The
key advantages of flares are:
Long distance signaling | Visual signal | May cover a hemispheric
arc of visual noticeability.
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| Electronic
Flares |
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Greatland Laser- Rescue Laser Flare® Magnum
$109.95
Sales Source: http://www.greatlandlaser.com/
Features
• Nighttime signaling device visible up to 20 miles
(32 km) away, optimal conditions. Effective in daytime up
to 3 miles.
• Locate reflective material up to one mile (1.6 km)
• Waterproof to 80 feet (24 m).
• Runs 72 hours on two easily replaceable AA batteries.
• Carry in your survival gear or attach to a lifejacket.
• Non Flammable, environmentally safe
• Rugged, machined Delrin® plastic to prevent corrosion.
• Long life laser diode - 10,000 hours meantime to failure
• Limited Lifetime Warranty. Detailed warranty, registration
and operating instructions are included with product.
• Weighs 6 oz
• 5.75” long
Description
Electronic Laser flares are derived from the ubiquitous laser
pointer but in the case of the signaling flare variant, are
specifically configured to project a 'Fan of Light' across
a great distance to increase the probability that the emitted
light is seen by rescue operatives. In contrast to laser pointers,
that project a relatively narrow beam, the Laser Flare projects
a beam that is in the order of 20 times the size of that produced
by ordinary laser pointers. This means that the probability
of a successful conveyance of the colored signal light within
the rescuer's feild of vision is high. These flares may be
used for both 'line of sight' as well as indirect signaling.
- Line of Sight Signaling creates a direct
connection between the beam source and the 'receiver's' field
of vision.
- Indirect Signaling makes an indirect connection between
the emitted beam source and the 'receiver's' field of vision.
In otherwords, the emitted beam is reflected off of a surface
and then enters the perceiver's visual field.
Line of Sight Signaling is prefered since it allows for an
accurate determination of the source of the signal and therefore
the anticipated rescue target's actual location. A manufacturer's
tutorial of the process is viewable at > this
page
Search & Rescue Application
Search and Rescue Personnel may be located by fellow team
members ar great distances through the use of a 'trolling
for reflective surface method'. In such cases, the reflective
materials in and on the typical rescue apparel are targets
for the laser flares. For rescue personnel in need of support
or extrication, the reach and longevity of the laser flare
makes it an excellent addition to thier regular gear bag.
Comparison
Between Incendiary & Electronic Laser Flares
Comparison |
Rescue Lasers |
Pyrotechnic Flares |
| Signal Duration |
5-72 hours depending on product |
One-minute |
| Detection Capability |
Locate Reflective material |
None |
| Fire Risk |
No Risk |
Flammable |
| Environmental
Risk |
Environmentally Safe |
Hazardous Material |
| Visibility |
Long Duration - Easy to locate source |
Short Duration - Difficult to locate source |
| Reusable |
Yes |
No |
Evaluation Results & Conclusions...
Ease of Use
Very Good. Requires very little learning if any.
Intuitive functional model. No cognitive overhead . The default
'Off' position is a 1/4 anticlockwise turn of the tail-cap
switch from it's full 'On' position. So from this standoff
position the tailcap is simply twisted to activate the laser,
which emitts from the front aperture. A Red vinyl front cap
serves to protect against inadvertent activation as
well as to mark the front of the light. The Laser
Flare is then pointed in the direction of the target using
one of several aiming methods. Because the red laser beam
is so color specific and as narrow as a thin line, it may
at times be difficult to determine if target acquisition has
occured. This form of dead rekoning lacks the feedback mechanisms
requisite of a failsafe emergency signaling device. It is
therefore recommended that a user include this device ina
Go-Kit only after carefully reading the instructions and understanding
the limitations of the product.
4 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . Assuming that a suitable target has been
aquired, the emitted light from the LaserFlare should be easy
to spot from a great distance and especially if NV equipment
is employed. Similarly, we were able to spot small reflective
patches located on test rescuer's apparel from a distance
as great as one mile. As such the product lives up to its
promise to both rescuer and signaler. Again, the lack of unequivical
fconfirmation to mitigate misscommunication is a heuristic
that is lacking.
4 Points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have not been performed.
First impressions are that in normal use they are durable.
We have provisionally given this product a durability rating
of:
5 points
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Adaptability
Laser Flares may be used in a number of ways. They
may be hand held, mounted on a scope or tripod or they may
simply be laid on the ground to delineate ground and water.There
is no user programability option , nor is circuitry included
to allow for automated distress signaling or other programmed
signaling.
4 points
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Rating - Recommended
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| Incendiary
Flares |
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Markers |
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PowerFlare
PF200
Rating - Highly Recommended
Price: 1-5 units> @ $45.00
Sales Source: http://www.powerflare.com/
sales@powerflare.com
ABOVE, Left Retail Package
, Center & Right - Size of a hockey puck
ABOVE, Left>Right
| 'Off' > Full Constant 'On' > Low Constant
'On'
ABOVE, Left, Case access
with included hex-key | Right Detail of switch & lanyard
ring
ABOVE, Battery replacement.
Note: Modular construction
ABOVE, Detail of On/Off
Mode activation switch button
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Description.
The PowerFlare
PF200 is one of a series of compact
hazard warning beacons for professional or consumer use. Specific
domains of use include:Emergency Services, Police, Fire, Rescue
and Ambulance, Traffic Management,Accident Warning, Trucking,
Transport Roadside Breakdown, Industrial Safety ,HazMat Spills,Helicopter
Landing Zones,Private, Commercial and Military, Mining, Personal
and Family Protection and Aviation Runway Lighting.PowerFlare
offer two versions of the extremely popular compact hazard
warning beacons, the PF200 series consumer model and the PF200R
Rechargeable series . Both have identical form factors and
functionality but the PF200 is battery powered and the PF200R
are rechargeable. As such they share these common features:
- Be attention getting in a wide range of
ambient lighting and weather conditions
- Not dazzle or confuse the viewer
- Allow the viewer to judge how far they
are from the beacon
- Not be inherently dangerous
- Search & rescue (SAR) operations: tag
areas and items; personal safety light; emergency response
teams (ERT, CERT)
- Use as lantern in case of power failure,
earthquake, hurricane or other disaster (get one for your
disaster kit today!)
- Attach as a safety light for bicycles and
motorcycles (provides 360° coverage)
- Helicopter landing zones (LZ)
- SCUBA diving / boating and marine operations:
waterproof to 300'
- Work zone safety: mount on cones or barricades
- Tactical operations (military and SWAT):
infrared (IR) version available
The PowerFlare200 uses Superbright LED's
arranged in a circumferential array around a saucer or puck
shaped disc. The behavioral pattern of the illumination of
these LED's is programmed into the circuitry to be user selectable
between 10 different settings. Cycling through these settings
is achieved by pressing a single access button.
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Specifications for PowerFlare200
- Body Yellow, Safety Orange (as tested) &
OD
- Available Emitted Colors: red, amber [yellow],
blue, green, white, and IR
- Beam Brightness:Unknown
- Power Source: 1XCR123A Lithium
- Can be submersed underwater up to a depth
of 80'
- Fabrication:ABS , Elastomer
& Stainless steel
- Dimensions:4.25" Diameter X1.25"
tall
- Net weight:6.7oz (190g) W/ battery
- Buoyancy:Positive (floats) NOTE: PF200R
is Negative buoyancy
- Noticeably: 900M (Road or Water) & 10
miles (16Km) From air. Daytime visible up to 300M
- Op Temp & Storage , -40 Fahrenheit to
248 Fahrenheit
- 16 LED Array
- HAZMAT compliant - hermetically sealed/intrinsically
safe
- Chemical Resistance-petroleum based fuels
Flash
Pattern |
PF-200-
Runtime |
Quad Flash |
15 Hrs |
Double Blink |
30 Hrs |
Rotate |
15 Hrs |
RotoStrobe |
N/A |
Single-Blink |
100 Hrs |
Alternate |
10 |
"S-O-S" |
24 Hrs |
Solid-On-High |
8 Hrs |
Solid-On-Low |
60Hrs |
Flashlight |
15Hrs |
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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...
Ease of Use
Excellent . Requires very little learning if any.
Intuitive functional model. No cognitive overhead . From the
default 'Off' position, depressing the single surface switch
button activates the Powerflare by turning on all 16 LEDs
to last pattern used. Quick presses on the activation button
cause the PowerFlare to cycle to each successive pattern in
the program. Turning the PowerFlare 'Off' is accomplished
by a firm and sustained pressing of the switch. As such, the
On/Off and modality are accessible from a single solid user
interface control.
5 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . Accomplishes the task of making an otherwise
unnoticeable scene very noticeable- signaling caution, hazard
or a need for help. Used in series they can cordon a scene
or mark a landing pad. The inherently tenacious texture
pattern of the casing makes them ideal for temporary placement
on smooth as well as rough surfaces. The
360º array of LEDs mean that the PowerFlares are capable of
being seen from a spherical approach, making them ideal for
signaling in all directions. Because PowerFlares are so compact,
they are easily stored and deployed for use. The single lanyard
ring makes them easy to attach via a lanyard cord or bolt,
nail or other attachment system up to .30 in diameter. Though
the FowerFlare, by virtue of its low profile, is easily covered
with snow or debris, making its visibility potentially poor
under certain circumstances- nonetheless, they are easily
inserted into traffic cones, increasing their effectiveness
with no special tools, adapters or modifications.
4.5 Points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have not been performed.
First impressions are that in normal use they are durable.
We have provisionally given this product a durability rating
of:
5 points
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Adaptability
PowerFlares are easy to just put down or they may
be inserted into traffic cones.In addition, the use of the
lanyard ring opens up a plethora of possibilities regarding
end use.
5 points
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Pros > 1) Compact yet very bright 2) HAZMAT compliant
3) Rugged 4) Many useful modes 5) Highly submersible 6)Lonf
Runtimes
Cons > 1) May be washed away in torrential
downpours and may be covered by snow or debris 2) Battery
changes are laborious
Rating - Highly Recommended
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Homeland
Associates 6.5" Safety Wand
6.5" Red Safety Wand 3251-004, MSRP $?
Dedicated Base $?
Supplier :
http://www.homelandassociates.com
Description..
There are several non-chemical and non-incendiary
traffic signal wands currently on the market- the Homeland
Associates 6.5" Safety Wand is currently one the most
compact and feature laden devices on the market. Having the
triple functionality of a hand-held wand , roadside emergency
beacon and vehicle mounted signalng wand makes it unique in
a class containing products that fulfill either one or the
other task but not three functions in a compact package running
on 2 Csized batteries. The compact size of the Safety Wand
make it ideal for users of all genders, ages and in a wide
variety of circumstances from emergency civilian use to intitutional
and professional emergency response scenarios. In addition
to being deployable in three different ways, the Safety Wand
has four settings for Off, Full On, Fast flashing and Slow
Flashing modes. An optional and color matched polymer magnetic
baseis a 'must have' accessory for extending the usefulness
of this wand.
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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...
Ease of Use
Excellent . Requires very little learning if any.
Intuitive functional model. No cognitive overhead . Loading
the batteries entails a simple unscrewing of the tailpice
from the handle of the wand and inserting two fresh C-cell
batteries (positive ends up towards the wand). Activation
occurs when the round, rubber covered switch button is depressed.
This is a simple 'cycling' between the various settings with
no momentary or 'Morse Code' signaling capability. The wand
is simply handheld for traffic marshaling or to attract attention
in an emergency.Making the wand stand up simply entails inserting
the handle's base into a 'grab interlock' on the dedicated
Safety Wand Base. The connection is possitive, audible and
yet disengagement is equally simple and effortless. The base
is free-standing on level surfaces and may be pinned down
with nails that may be inserted through four small openings.
The base contains a strong magnet that allows the wand to
be attached to any ferrous metal surface such as that of a
motor vehicle. The holding power is enough to ensure a secure
connection to a car's surface, but the magnet itself is isolated
to prevent surface marring of paint.
5 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . Accomplishes the task of clearly signaling
a warning to oncoming vehicles or for directing traffic to
move in a specific manner. The compactness of the 6.5"
wand allows for effective functionality at a modest distance
. Smaller wands would be useful in situations where the traffic
was moving more slowly , distances between traffic control
and vehicles closer, or visibility not impaired. Projection
of the simultaneously flashing LED light array inside the
red casing is excellent- with bright light emanating from
all around the casing as well as from the very tip of the
wand. Projection is nearly spherical with only a disc the
diameter of the handle being blocked from view.
5 points
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Durability
Long term tests have not been done. First impression
. Replacement frequency will depend on variables such as frequency
of dismantling / re-assembly, roughness of use, exposure to
UV and heat/cold as well as other unpredictable factors. Based
on concrete and drop tests that we've conducted, we've provisionally
given this product a durability rating of:
5 points
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Adaptability/Suitability
Within the constraints of it's design, the Homeland
Associates Safety Wand is a suitable problem solver in contexts
for which it is intended to be used- that is: signaling a
road hazard emergency or directing traffic under most anticipated
circumstances. We did not torture test this
product, not did we subject it to the widest possible range
of situations. No claim is being made for suitability, durability
or effectiveness.
5 points
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Quality of match to host product
Excellent. Accessory stand perfectly matches, fits and compliments
the Safety Wand
5 points
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Pros > 1) Compacy, Bright and Effective 2) Uses
common C-cell batteries 3) LED lights will not burn out or
cause combustion 4) Very reasonably priced 5) Lightweight
and ergonomically pleasant to use 6) Water resistant seals
7) High quality fabricatio 8) Multiple modes 9) Bright casing
coloration is easy to see in daylight
Cons > None
Rating - Highly Recommended
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