Hand-held Red Flare

A hand-held pyrotechnic distress signal that burns with an intense red light for short-range position marking.

It is intended to help nearby rescuers identify a casualty, survival craft or vessel, particularly after a long-range alert has already been made. Red hand flares are recognised distress signals.

They produce extreme heat, flame and hot residue and must be held downwind and away from the body, liferaft canopy, fuel and sails according to the instructions. They are not the same as hand-held orange smoke signals.

Overview of flares and their uses

The table below outlines the different types and colours of flare and a brief description of their use.

Type	Colour	Use
Parachute Flare	Red	Indicating your distress when out of sight of other vessels. Rocket flares should be launched in pairs, approximately 1 to 2 mins apart.
	White	Illuminating a sea area. Useful if searching for a man overboard at night.
Hand-held Flare	Orange (smoke)	Providing directional guidance and wind indication for any search and rescue assets as they approach you.
	Red	Inidicating your distress when other vessels are nearby. Useful to hold the flare in the direction of potential help.
	White	Pinpoint indication of your location making visible your position. Used if you don’t believe a vessel on a collision course has seen you.
Buoyant Flare	Orange (smoke)	Providing directional guidance and wind indication for any search and rescue assets as they approach you.