Recent reports of a 13-year-old Australian who swam 4km to raise the alarm after his family was swept out to sea on stand-up paddleboards serve as a stark reminder of how quickly routine and fun days on the water can turn dangerous.
While many water users now rely on mobile phones stored in waterproof pouches, these are not fail-safe. Loss of signal, flat batteries, or water ingress can all prevent a distress call when it’s needed most.
The Pains Wessex Miniflare Mk8 packs are ideal for dinghies, personal water craft, canoes, sailboards, and stand up paddleboards. The lightweight compact personal distress signal pack contains 9 red aerial flares, which reach a height of over 40 meters. The red distress flare burns for over 5 seconds at 10,000 candela – making it visible for at least 5 miles in daylight and over 10 miles at night.
The Miniflares are fired using a penjector mechanism, making them safe and easy to use even when in the water or with wet hands. The compact pack can be easily carried in a dry bag, or in a waterproof pocket in a jacket or buoyancy aid.
Sean McCrystal, Head of Marketing at Wescom Group, says the Miniflare is an ideal safety product for anyone going on the water, and also to carry on land, if for example climbing or hiking in remote areas.
“Having the ability to set off an internationally recognised distress signal is vital in an emergency,” he explains. “Miniflares are ideal as part of your essential kit, alongside your phone. By all means take your phone for convenience — but always carry proven safety equipment that could save your life.”
The Pains Wessex Miniflare Mk8 pack retails at £74.95 and is available from all major chandleries.
