Flares, and other Safety Equipment (Small Vessel Regulations)
Minimum safety equipment requirements:

Pyrotechnic Distress Signals, these are flares described in the Small Vessel Regulations, equipment standards, used to signal a need for assistance.  (shown top to bottom, Type A, B, C & D)

According to these Regulations, Transport Canada must approve the flares that you are required to carry onboard your pleasure craft.  Be sure they have a label indicating this!

Flares that are more than 4 years old do not to meet these carriage requirements.  Look for the Date of Manufacture stamped on each shell or device.

As a Safety Measure, pleasure craft operators should read the manufacturers instructions before using pyrotechnic distress signals.  Take the opportunity to attend any organized flare exercises & demonstrations.  (Everyone loves fireworks!)

Type A, now called rocket/parachute
Type B, now called multi-star
Type C, now called hand-held
Type D, now called buoyant or hand-held smoke

Personal "emergency kit":

In addition to the equipment specified by the Small Vessel Regulations, every pleasure craft should carry onboard at all times, in a watertight plastic bag, an appropriate emergency kit which may consist of at least the following items;

• water resistant flashlight
  
• whistle
  
• a knife
  
• a first aid kit
  
• emergency food rations
  
• drinking water
  
• dry clothing
  

Sound Signals:

The Collision Regulations requires operators of pleasure craft less than 12m in length to carry an efficient sound signalling device,  i.e.; whistle, or horn.  If operating in an area of limited visibility, by day or by night, the operator may use a combination of long & short blasts to warn others of his or her presence.  (pea-less whistles work well, even when wet - I.e. FOX 40 orange whistle shown at left)