Boating License Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal flares is to display them only when immediate or potential danger exists. This approach minimizes unnecessary panic and conserves flares for genuine emergencies, while ensuring that they are a clear signal of distress to any nearby vessels. Flares are designed to attract attention and communicate that assistance is needed, so their deployment should be intentional and reserved for critical situations. This helps maintain their effectiveness and ensures that they fulfill their purpose without causing confusion or false alarms among other boaters.

Displaying flares at all times while on the water would not be practical or effective, as it might desensitize other boaters to the signal. Moreover, showing them to nearby vessels does not convey the immediate need for help as effectively as deploying them under appropriate circumstances. Storing flares in an accessible location is important for safety, but they should not be displayed unless there’s a real emergency since they are meant for signaling, not for constant visibility.