Shine a Light
ACR Electronics has two new USCG-approved distress flares—the Aurora red hand flare and orange hand smoke signal (shown). What sets the Aurora apart from the competition is that it is designed for life on the water. Most hand flares are housed in a cardboard body, but the Aurora has a steel casing with a polycarbonate handle. The internal pull cord works well in wet conditions, and the flare can be activated while under water. Once lit, it burns at 15,000 candela for 6 seconds, which the company says is 21 times brighter than most other flares. The red hand flare is approved for day or night use. Strictly for daytime use, the Aurora orange smoke signal produces a large plume of dense orange smoke to attract a rescuer. Like the red flare, it is built for marine conditions, has the same protective handle and no-strike ignition, and can be used after it has been fully immersed in the water.
From $40. ACR Artex, acrartex.com
