MDinana,

Works great if they are looking for you from the air. From the ground you need to rotate it in a vertical circle. How well they work depends a lot on the terrain. It also does not work at all if no one is looking for you. Many times, unless there is evidence that lights are available, search will begin at dawn. The recommendation that you put the light on your trip plan is critical.

In Viet Nam the military began to use strobes on land (they always worked well on the water - long lines of sight). I have carried one ever since. In the triple canopy they do not work well from the air unless you think and move to an open spot. There they work quite well. You don't (I hope) have to worry that the white ones look like gunshots!

You need to place yourself where it can be seen from a distance, especially if you are hoping for chance rescue (someone not searching sees it). In this case it will work well if you are away from other lights.

The marine type strobe is better than a military one or a strobing flashlight because it puts the light out in a hemisphere. In normal use you want someone to see you from any direction. If you are lost, you may not know which direction the help might come from.

The laser "flare" is also a great tool for this use. I think that it is even easier to see and recognize as an emergency signal.

Respectfully,

Jerry