If you do carry outdated flares, it’s advisable to use the expired flares first; if they fail, you still have currently dated flares available. Although federal regulations require a minimum of three currently dated flares on board, I believe, when it comes to safety items on boats, enough is never enough. Personally, I prefer a combination of aerial and hand flares, all with current dates, of course.

Current date means the flare is still within its useful life date, which is stamped on the visual distress device. The fact is that not only do flare dates expire but so do the flares. No, the manufacturer does not set the three-year life standard as boaters so often charge. No, that date standard is set by the Coast Guard.

Determined to find out more about the three-year life period, I contacted an official at Orion Signals, a major manufacturer of visual distress signals. Hearing the Orion representative describe the extreme tests flares are subject to, you would think flares would live forever, but they simply don’t.

According to Orion’s Frank Amodeo, visual distress signals are routinely put through extreme tests by certified independent laboratories as specified by the Coast Guard. The quarterly test, finds inspectors selecting random samples from each production lot. The flares are placed into an oven where they are maintained at 174 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours without igniting. They are submerged under four inches of water for 24 hours, then uncapped and re-submerged, with the "ignite button" exposed, for an additional five minutes. The flares can then be wiped dry but must ignite using the strikers, which had been submerged. They are also subject to high heat humidity conditions in a "jungle room" environment. So after all that, why do flares expire?

According to Amedeo, flares have expiration dates for a number of reasons: Like camera film or pharmaceuticals, their proper performance relies on the interaction of a chemical composition. Over time- especially considering the "hostile" marine environment- this composition can begin to decompose and become less reliable or under-perform. A resulting decline in altitude, candlepower, and burn-time, comes with time. The U.S. military conducted a test of small-arms primers- the ignition system used to fire a bullet or shell is similar to the ones used to ignite many aerial flares. Their studies revealed a dramatic increase in the failure rate after three years.

Of course, adding to the intrinsic aging process of flares is how they are maintained. Any flare, handheld or aerial, regardless of its age, can be difficult to ignite, or fail to ignite at all depending on its condition and storage. How many times have we inspected boats with an ancient flare kit smoldering in its plastic envelope? Too often. It is advisable to check flares routinely for moisture and other negative environmental influences, and not just at the beginning of the boating season, but throughout it.

But, it’s not only the flare that can fail but also the flare gun itself. According to Chief Monck, two older orange-colored plastic pistol flare guns failed. Although both successfully fired a 12-guage-signal flare the first time, neither worked on succeeding attempts. Chief Monck is not sure why these flare guns failed, but they suspect the age of the pistol could be the reason. According to Amedeo, Orion now test fires an aerial flare with each launcher before it is sold. You can tell it has been fired by the black scorch-mark in the barrel. If you carry that brand you may want to check it. For a $5 shipping and handling fee, Orion will test and repair or replace , if necessary, any Orion launcher, regardless of its age. During a recent boat inspection, I discovered that the hinge pin on a 12-guage-gun barrel had locked; I could not crack it open.

Firing off flares was also addressed at the workshop. It was pointed out that hand-held flares and smoke signals may expel ash and slag as they burn. Even though these particles cool quickly, they can cause painful burns or ignite materials that burn easily. Therefore, these devices when burning should be held over the side and in such a way that hot slag cannot drip on the hand.

Whenever a pistol or hand-held rocket-propelled distress signal is used, the wind must be taken into account. In calm winds keep your arm at approximately 60 degrees above the horizon with the wind at your back when firing the device. As the wind increases increase the angle of the arm up to but not more than about 80 to 85 degrees. No pyrotechnic device should be fired straight up or in such a direction that it may land on your boat or another boat or on land and cause a fire.

As you can see there is a lot to visual distress signals- they are not just a mandatory device, but a device that could be critical in a life-saving situation- possible your own. Boat Smart- know your flares.

For more information, flare manufacturers offer insightful tips on their web sites. You can visit Orion Signals- Marine Safety Products at www.orionsignals.com, or Sky Blazers at www.skyblazer.com Also; the Coast Guard’s ‘Federal Requirements’ for recreational boats addresses visual distress signals. Boat Smart: give the web a visit or call the Coast Guard for their pamphlet at 800-368-5647.

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Boat Smart is now on the Internet: www.boatsmart.net (includes Lake Michigan water temperatures and local weather).

Use channel 16 for emergencies, and channel 9 for calling fellow boaters.