[C320-list] aerial flares - interesting fact

[Alan Goodman]

As part of my Spring launch, I did my annual safety check.  Life jacket inflating cylinder expiration, boat registration and other documentation aboard and current, fire extinguisher inspection, first aid kit inspection and restock, etc.    I also checked the expiration of my 'visual distress signals' (CG parlance for flares).  While I replace at the beginning of each boating season any flares that have expired since the end of the prior season or will expire before end of this season, I keep the expired flares in a separate storage container as back up/extras.  Last week I decided I could only carry around so many back ups/extras so I culled out the oldest 12 GA Olin aerial flares and brought them home to test.  (disclaimer, home is 25 miles from the closest body of navigable water)   Keep in mind these back up/extras were properly stored in the boat and not exposed to any rain, water splash, salt air air (thanks to being in MI), etc.    I fired four (4) flares, each with an expiration date of June 2010.  (first cock hammer, then pull trigger)  All four launched upon the first shot, however none of the flares 'lit up'.  No tracer arc, just a thud down range 7 seconds after firing confirming the tracer charge landing intact.  (FYI, the entire plastic shell remains in the gun, only the tracer charge flies)  I surmise the firing pin on the hammer ignites the launching charge and, when working properly, the launching charge then ignites the tracer charge.  Perhaps the tracer charge 'went bad' during the approximately 6 year time period since manufacture?   Point is, don't rely upon expired flares ...  forget about the possible CG citation  ...  imagine the consequences if you need to seriously attract attention.  My curiosity having been aroused, I will take home and test some 12 gauge flares that expired in March 2013 along with several night and smoke hand helds with various expiration dates and report back to the forum.  If you can conduct tests on your surplus back ups and report on the forum, this might provide some interesting information.