CAP Talk

Operations => Emergency Services & Operations => Topic started by: JesusFreak on April 11, 2008, 12:23:07 AM

Title: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: JesusFreak on April 11, 2008, 12:23:07 AM
Are we allowed to use any other form of signaling, like smoke bombs, maybe even smoke grenades? Does CAP regulations allow cadets to have them?
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: lordmonar on April 11, 2008, 12:42:06 AM
As a "signaling" device smoke is not very affective.

As a attention attraction device smoke can be very affective.

As for if cadets (or anyone for that matter) can have them...that would be up to your paticular leader.

And that would depend on the type, size and need for them.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: JesusFreak on April 11, 2008, 02:00:37 AM
Quote from: lordmonar on April 11, 2008, 12:42:06 AM
As a "signaling" device smoke is not very affective.

As a attention attraction device smoke can be very affective.

As for if cadets (or anyone for that matter) can have them...that would be up to your paticular leader.

And that would depend on the type, size and need for them.
Ok, thank you.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: Brad on April 11, 2008, 02:03:41 AM
Let's see here....well the NBB video shows cadets throwing signaling smoke for landing zones.

Others I can think of:

signal mirrors, both dedicated and improvised (AOL CDs, anyone?)

tarp signals (that yellow and blue tarp you fold into different standardized shapes to indicated things)

body signals

ground marking signals

flashing lights (this includes morse, red/green/white signal lamps, and simple "Hey! Here I am!")

fires

flare guns

So you see? There's plenty if you think about it. In a survival situation, I don't know about you but regs would probably take a backseat to my well-being, considering how safety being #1 is stressed so much anyways.

Heh, I actually rembeber that stuff from Scanner training....wow!

;D

Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: JayT on April 11, 2008, 11:02:42 PM
Quote from: Brad on April 11, 2008, 02:03:41 AM
Let's see here....well the NBB video shows cadets throwing signaling smoke for landing zones.

Others I can think of:

signal mirrors, both dedicated and improvised (AOL CDs, anyone?)

tarp signals (that yellow and blue tarp you fold into different standardized shapes to indicated things)

body signals

ground marking signals

flashing lights (this includes morse, red/green/white signal lamps, and simple "Hey! Here I am!")

fires

flare guns

So you see? There's plenty if you think about it. In a survival situation, I don't know about you but regs would probably take a backseat to my well-being, considering how safety being #1 is stressed so much anyways.

Heh, I actually rembeber that stuff from Scanner training....wow!

;D



Yeah, but smoke bombs are so much cooler.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on April 12, 2008, 03:40:20 AM
Indeed they are.  I know a flea market where you can get them for about 5 cents each.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 01:13:47 AM
Quote from: lordmonar on April 11, 2008, 12:42:06 AM
As a "signaling" device smoke is not very affective.

As a attention attraction device smoke can be very affective.

As for if cadets (or anyone for that matter) can have them...that would be up to your paticular leader.

And that would depend on the type, size and need for them.




yes i dont think he so much was talking about signalling as much as like grabbing there attention though there are many ways to do this smoke bomb is a possiblility as long as its in regs and your es leader gives you permission
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 01:15:34 AM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on April 12, 2008, 03:40:20 AM
Indeed they are.  I know a flea market where you can get them for about 5 cents each.


really 5 cents awesome do you think they sale them at a swap meet
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 01:30:40 AM
flare guns are cool can you use those they are prob. more effective than smoke especially at night are they in regs
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 01:51:28 AM
I can't name a single cadet I would trust with a flare gun. Including our 18 year old C/CC. I can only name 4 seniors I would trust with one and that includes me.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: mikeylikey on April 15, 2008, 02:19:09 AM
Quote from: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 01:51:28 AM
I can only name 4 seniors I would trust with one and that includes me.

hahahhaha
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 02:41:10 AM
Quote from: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 01:51:28 AM
I can't name a single cadet I would trust with a flare gun. Including our 18 year old C/CC. I can only name 4 seniors I would trust with one and that includes me.


you could take a training or it could be in your GMT rating or something
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: John Bryan on April 15, 2008, 02:43:26 AM
Quote from: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 01:51:28 AM
I can't name a single cadet I would trust with a flare gun. Including our 18 year old C/CC. I can only name 4 seniors I would trust with one and that includes me.

David,

Am I one of the four ????? :angel: >:D

John
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 02:48:06 AM
I have helped train a cadet in the use of various calibers of weapons off CAP time. I still wouldn't trust her with a flare gun. I trust her with a .357 or a .308 on the range but not a flare gun on a mission.

Col. Bryan,
Unfortunately you are not because I have not seen you handle a weapon yet. ;-) Three of them are in my unit (CC, CD/S{me} and another Lt.) and the forth commands Morgan County. Guess who that cadet I've helped train is?  >:D ;D I can name some Capts. and Light Col. I would not trust with squirt gun.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on April 15, 2008, 06:32:45 AM
Quote from: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 01:15:34 AM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on April 12, 2008, 03:40:20 AM
Indeed they are.  I know a flea market where you can get them for about 5 cents each.


really 5 cents awesome do you think they sale them at a swap meet

Sale them?  Probably not.  Sell them?  Probably.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: Eclipse on April 15, 2008, 06:55:11 AM
At high-probability altitude over non-urban areas (i.e. 500 ft AGL), there is a good chance that a flare could hit one of our airplanes.

If flare guns do not fall under the general prohibition on firearms, they should.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: sarmed1 on April 15, 2008, 07:12:24 AM
I dont see why a flare gun (thinking olin marine flare type or handheld launcher) should fall under the prohibition becasue its not a firearm by definition because it doesnt fire a "projectile".  (of course technically speaking the civilian 37mm M-203 look-a-like isnt eaither since its only used for "signalling"...smoke, flare or marking rounds) what an intersting idea that would be to have (as they make a conversion with pistol grip and shoulder stock)
(http://www.37mm.com/launchers/images/cobray.jpg)

One thing that a lot of people forget is the burn time on flare launchers.....most of the marine type available are designed for over water use....but due to the burn time could cause major problems in the woods..ie it may still be burining when it comes back to earth, not a problem in the water, but dry brush and trees...not so good)

admitedly I carry 6 differant types... strobe, siganl panel, siganl mirror, pen flare launcher, day/night signal and red smoke grenade.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: JayT on April 15, 2008, 02:10:44 PM
Quote from: c/A1C Johnson on April 15, 2008, 02:41:10 AM
Quote from: davidsinn on April 15, 2008, 01:51:28 AM
I can't name a single cadet I would trust with a flare gun. Including our 18 year old C/CC. I can only name 4 seniors I would trust with one and that includes me.


you could take a training or it could be in your GMT rating or something


Airman Johnson

If you can't spell 'GTM' correctly, I don't know about handing you a flare gun, with any amount of training.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: SSgt Rudin on April 15, 2008, 09:12:21 PM
I'll probably regret this but... I carry a "Pocket Rocket" with 6 flares in my 24hr pack as well as a MK1 marine(as in boating not USMC) smoke signal. The smoke signal does not produce a flame or require one to be ignited, emits 3 minutes of ORANGE smoke and floats. Not exactly something I would put in the same classification as a "smoke bomb" considering they run $30-$50 each, but it will probably make it into my paitball bag after it expires.
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: isuhawkeye on April 16, 2008, 01:41:44 AM
Just an FYI.  The aero medical transport helos in this area will not land if smoke is used to mark the LZ.  They had to many bad experiences
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: Jerry Jacobs on April 16, 2008, 01:44:02 AM
http://www.smokegrenade.net/Product/flamelesssmokegrenade.htm

A "smoke gernade" for 12.50 each.  

Why wouldn't they land due to smoke?
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: isuhawkeye on April 16, 2008, 02:06:28 AM
to many large smoke plumes causing visibility issues for ground crews, and smoke obscuring obstacles on the LZ.  I wasnt there so I cant site any specifics
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: c/A1C Johnson on April 17, 2008, 04:27:40 PM
QuoteIf you can't spell 'GTM' correctly, I don't know about handing you a flare gun, with any amount of training.

Sorry I was in a rush, and had to just hit send with it misspelled and messed up.

Tags - MIKE
Title: Re: Alternate form of signaling
Post by: JayT on April 17, 2008, 07:17:20 PM
Quote from: c/A1C Johnson on April 17, 2008, 04:27:40 PM
QuoteIf you can't spell 'GTM' correctly, I don't know about handing you a flare gun, with any amount of training.

Sorry I was in a rush, and had to just hit send with it misspelled and messed up.

Tags - MIKE

Uh-huh.