Laser rescue flares, especially green lasers, can be seen with the naked eye up to forty miles away. This makes them an ideal rescue device for hikers and campers. Here are some of the advantages and drawbacks of rescue laser flares.

Visibility Of Rescue Lasers In Cloudy Weather

Like most visual rescue signals, laser flares are affected by heavy clouds. Light fog is less of a problem, but can reduce effectiveness. A green laser flare can be seen much better than a red rescue flare in most conditions.  On the other hand red is more widely recognized as a distress color than green.  In studies done by Boat U.S., green laser flares were seen at a longer distance. However the public is not accustomed to seeing the color green associated with danger. Rescue athorities on the other hand, such as SAR teams, are usually familiar with both green and red laser flares.

The general public may not be used to recognizing a laser flare as a distress signal. For this reason you should use all conventional means along with a laser flare to summon help. Use SOS signals sent with flashlights, a loud whistle and smoke canisters if you have them. Smoke signals are highly visible during the day and can aid airborne SAR teams in finding you where a laser would not be visible during daytime.

Aiming A Rescue Flare For Hiking Survival

Before using a laser flare you should try to initiate rescue using traditional means. If you have cell phone coverage try to make a 911 call. If you have a personal locator beacon such as those in this article: Personal Locator Beacons, use it. Once authorities are on the way you can build a signal fire (if safe to do so) use mirrors, a whistle and your laser flare to attract attention. You should sweep the laser beacon from your location on the ground up toward your target to show your exact location to them.

Greatland Laser offers tips on how to use a laser flare to summon help on their website at Greatlandlaser.com

Other Uses For A Rescue Laser Flare

I have used a green laser flare to spot a floating life jacket at over 300 yards. Laser flares, both red and green are very good for locating reflective objects. This may help you find utility lines, trail markers and other reflective items when you are lost by scanning the valley and mountainside for light reflections. Laser flares can illuminate a reflective object up to a mile or more away, depending on its size.

Another use of a laser flare is to mark a landing zone. You can paint the area of the LZ or runway boundary if there are no runway lights with a couple of laser flares, enabling the pilot to see the approach path.

As a long time hiker I am sold on the idea of rescue laser flares when used in conjunction with other rescue items. I now carry a green one, along with a SPOT Satellite Messenger PLB. On my small boat I keep a red Greatland laser flare.  Red laser beacons, such as the one in the photo below, can be bought for as little as $99.00. These have a battery life of up to five hours.

So which is best, a green laser flare or red laser flare? Green does have visibility advantages however there are recognition issues and cost issues. Green laser flares typically cost about twice what red ones do and for the money you can buy two red ones. There really is no clear answer. Having one of either in your emergency survival kit is a great idea.