Signal Lights and Flares

Being seen is usually a good thing when you are on your bike or trekking. We often hook a compact rear bike light on our packs while we are hiking along roads. The Princeton Tec Aqua Strobe provides 3 mile visibility, good for boating, biking or hiking.

Signal Flares

When training solo off road I often bring along a few parachute flares. Weight is minimal, plus for training adding a little weight ain't a bad thing. Parachute flares can be obtained at most marine stores. Caution must be used as a parachute flare can start a brush fire in dry conditions. They also aren't visible during day hours, so don't waste one if you are in trouble. Orion flares are light, but some report frequent misfires and launch failures. A much higher quality (and much more expensive) option is the Solas approved flare.

For daylight signaling, smoke canisters are likely the best option. Although they are fairly large, they are very light. They can be purchased online or at most marine stores.

Don't overlook the value of a compact safety mirror for daytime signaling. All pilots are trained to report any meaningful signal from a safety mirror, and the distance one can been seen is staggering. While any mirror will produce some reflection, a real safety mirror will be brighter and more durable than other reflective surfaces, such as your compass mirror.