This year I was at the top of a 15-foot cliff that overlooked a pool about 100 yards wide, and was able to drop every burning load into the water. I learned: 1) 12-guage flares don’t go nearly as high as you think they will, even from the top of a cliff, much less at water level; 2) the load continues to burn under water, so if you accidentally fire one off into your boat you will be in big trouble since it will be very difficult to extinguish; 3) failure rate increases with age, but not radically so. One of the oldest flares (’93 expiry date) failed to ignite the load (Heaven knows where the stuff went, other than into the water), but the other 5 (one ’93, and four ’95s) performed as expected. I carefully examine the gun itself in daylight after each test, but so far there is no sign of fatigue or cracking around the chamber (yeah, I know — eventually I will have to replace it, or get another one as a companion).

I do have the requisite number of up-to-date flares for when I am boating in locations where I can be more than a mile offshore (as per Canadian Coast Guard regulations), but I keep the older ones on board as well — when you need them, it’s better to have too many flares than not enough. Many boat clubs or other organizations have instruction/familiarization sessions to help boaters become familiar with their flares and flare guns, and most people would benefit from attending at least one so they know the performance and limitations of their safety equipment..

Also, you don’t just have an explosive, you also have a payload which is designed to burn brightly. As a result, there are strong Oxidizers inside which will degrade the explosive charge over time. With this type of aerial flare, its akin to comparing apples and oranges. .