Helping rescuers find you
- The EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) transmits a satellite distress alert with the vessel's identity and position.
- The SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) makes the survival craft show up on a searching vessel's radar (or AIS).
- Pyrotechnics — rocket parachute flares, hand flares and buoyant smoke — signal to rescuers in sight or overhead.
- The lifejacket light, whistle and any hand-held signals help rescuers locate individuals.
Modern location relies first on the EPIRB, which alerts the rescue authorities via satellite with a position, and the SART, which guides a searching ship's radar right to the survival craft. When rescuers are near, pyrotechnics are used with care and timing — a parachute flare to draw attention over the horizon, a hand flare or smoke to pinpoint the position for a craft or aircraft in sight. Flares are few and dangerous, so they are used when they will be seen, not fired off in hope. The survivor's task is to make themselves as findable as possible and then help the rescuers close the last distance.
WARNING — Use flares when they will be seen Pyrotechnics are limited in number and are a fire and injury hazard. Use them when a ship or aircraft is in sight or known to be near, not fired off into an empty horizon in hope.
TIP — EPIRB first, then help them close in The EPIRB alerts the authorities with your position; the SART and then flares guide the searchers the last distance. Activate the EPIRB, deploy the SART, and save the flares for when rescuers are near.