🔍 Key Concepts

• Distress signals are meant to attract assistance, not just to mark an emergency has occurred. • Flares and rockets have limited quantity and burn time, so timing affects effectiveness. • International guidance (SOLAS/Lifesaving manuals) stresses using pyrotechnics when they can best attract attention.

💭 Think About

• Think about the main purpose of a visual distress signal—when does it do the most good? • If you use all your flares right away, what happens later when a ship or aircraft actually comes near? • How would you manage a small number of flares over many hours or days to maximize your chances of being seen?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify when visual distress signals are most likely to be observed by rescuers (day vs. night, clear vs. poor visibility). • Consider whether a fixed time schedule makes sense if no one is in sight yet. • Check standard survival-craft guidance on conserving limited pyrotechnics for moments of maximum visibility to potential rescuers.