Hand Flare

A hand flare, also called a handheld flare or a handheld red flare, is a visual aid that falls under the category of life saving appliances. It is classed as a short range distress signal and is used when a vessel or person in distress is within a few miles sight of land, another boat or ship, or a rescue helicopter. Hand flares can be used day or night although they’re not as bright as parachute flares. The burn time on a handheld flare is around sixty seconds.