Greatland Laser’s Rescue Flares

Written by Eddie Breeden

From Issue January 2015

The Rescue Laser Flare Magnum (top) and the Green Rescue Laser Flare project a beam that will be seen by your targets as a bright and distinctive flash of light that won't cause temporary loss of vision or injury.

There are many tools you can use to call for help when you’re on the water: VHF radios, handheld or aerial flares, mirrors, flags, horns, smoke, and dyes. They all have their advantages and shortcomings; in an emergency you’ll want the tool best suited to the job at hand.Greatland Laser’s Rescue Flares are effective visual distress signals. While pyrotechnic flares can be seen from any direction, they are short-lived and dangerous to handle. A laser has to be aimed, but lasts for hours if not days and is safe when used properly. Greatland’s lasers are available in red and green signals, both of which are the size of small flashlights. The red Magnum uses two common AA alkaline batteries for 72 hours of continuous use, and the Green Rescue Laser Flare has a single CR123 lithium battery good for 5 hours. The life of the flare is virtually unlimited: The laser diodes for the red light are rated for 10,000 hours, the green for 5,000 hours.

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Comments (3)

Ben says:

January 3, 2015 at 1:52 am

Guides on the Maine coast have been using these since the late 90s, after a demo on a foggy day at the Southwest Harbor Coast Guard station by the then Castine based rep. In the fog they don’t go as far, but they light up particles so you have an immense fan shaped wedge of light. I have a small red one, now discontinued in favor of the green one, and the larger double AA one. Smaller one has lived with out corrosion or other problems in my paddling PFD where it is wet more than dry. The larger one is in the row/sailboat ditch bag. And for the ultimate in coolness, use it carefully instead of a laser pointer when you next need to do a power point talk.
Eddie Breeden says:

January 8, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Thanks for the good testimonial there Ben. I had talked with Kim at Greatland. She was very receptive, knowledgeable, and quick to answer my questions. Anyone considering these fine tools should give the company a holler. The red flare has been produced since 2001, the green since 2005. So, a good track record there. Also, it is my understanding that the U.S. Coast Guard is revamping their regulations and such flares are expected to be considered as supplement visual distress aids. These are very good safety additions.
Brad says:

January 8, 2015 at 9:04 pm

Great blog—Lingering Lunacy—the author has. Worth a look.