When to signal

Aerial flares, and other "one-time" signals, should be fired only after sighting or hearing a potential rescuer. Experts recommend that once an aircraft has been sighted, one flare should be fired, then a second flare fired immediately after the first to let search teams confirm the sighting and direction of the signal. Remember, search and rescue missions often establish grid search patterns, which means you may see the same aircraft 2 to 3 times coming from different directions. Do not waste aerial flares if the aircraft has initially passed by you. Carrying extra pyrotechnic signals will improve your chances of being sighted.