FAQ
Federal Law allows an EXCEPTION for laser emergency signaling devices to send a distress signal to aircraft.
In February 2012, the United States Congress passed into law HR658 authorizing appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Included in the law is Section 311 "Prohibition Against Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft". Section 311 39A(c)(3) on page 56 specifically exempts "an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal." Greatland Laser has sold its patented laser emergency signaling devices throughout the world since 2001. We have never had a safety issue with the products. Under the exception provided in this federal law, Rescue Laser are legal to signal an aircraft for help in an emergency.
See for yourself how well our Rescue Laser emergency signaling devices work:
Watch the Greatland Rescue Laser emergency signaling device video!
- What's the difference between the three Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices?
- Why are they better than traditional pyrotechnic flares?
- How do Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices work?
- Wouldn't my laser pointer do the same thing?
- Are they safe to look at?
- Won't they stun the pilot/captain whose attention I'm trying to get?
- When I shine my Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling device in the distance, I can't see anything. Why?
- I'm holding my laser in the air and my friend can't see me. Why?
- Does it matter which way the laser line is pointed? If so, how will I be able to tell?
- Can I use a rechargeable battery in the Rescue Laser™ Light and Rescue Laser Flare® Green models?
- Does the TSA allow packing a Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling device with a lithium battery in checked baggage? In a carry-on bag?
- Are AA-sized lithium batteries compatible with the Rescue Laser Flare® Magnum model?
1. What's the difference between the three Rescue Laser® emergency signaling devices?
While all three products have the same signaling capacity, they do vary in signaling time, design and distance. You can signal further using the Rescue Laser Flare® Green model but the green laser diode is more fragile, uses more energy to operate and has a smaller temperature range.
For a complete comparison please see below:
|
Rescue Laser™ Light emergency signaling device |
Rescue Laser Flare® Magnum emergency signaling device |
Rescue Laser Flare® Green emergency signaling device | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batteries | CR123 Lithium | AA | CR123 Lithium |
| Operating Time on Batteries | 40 hours | 72 hours | 5 hours |
| Waterproof Depth | 80 ft. | 80 ft. | 80 ft. |
| Operates Below 0°? | Yes | Yes, with AA lithium batteries * alkaline batteries included |
No |
| Laser Diode | Red 10,000 hr. meantime to failure |
Red 10,000 hr. meantime to failure |
Green 5,000 hr. meantime to failure |
| Laser Class | Class 3R < 5mW | Class 3R < 5mW | Class 3R < 5mW |
| Beam Divergence | ≤ 5 degrees | ≤ 5 degrees | ≤ 3 degrees |
| Signal Distance | 20 miles at night 1-3 miles daytime |
20 miles at night 1-3 miles daytime |
30 miles at night 3-5 miles daytime |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty | 180-day Warranty |
2. Why are they better than traditional pyrotechnic flares?
|
Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices |
Pyrotechnic Flares | |
|---|---|---|
| Signal Duration | 5-72 hrs. depending on product | 1 minute |
| Detection Capability | Locates reflective material | None |
| Fire Risk | No risk | Flammable |
| Environmental Risk | Environmentally safe | Hazardous Material |
| Visibility | Long duration - Easy to locate source | Short duration - Difficult to locate source |
| Resuable? | Yes | No |
3. How do Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices work?
See our details illustrations on the How They Work page.
4. Wouldn't my laser pointer do the same thing?
No. In order to signal at a distance with a laser pointer, you would have to accurately hit your target in the eye in order for them to see you. Our products draw a line which fans out the further it goes. At 16 miles, you have a 6,000 ft. long fan of light with which to hit your target. Please see How They Work
Yes. Our lasers are classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Class IIIA (Class IIIR) laser products. Just like any other light, however, it isn't advisable to point it directly in the eye at short range for an extended period of time. Please refer to the FDA's Consumer Health information publication http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM167564.pdf explaining the different types of laser devices and laser safety. Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices can safely be used to signal an aircraft for help when you are in distress. Unlike higher powered lasers that may be dangerous if pointed at an aircraft, Rescue Lasers will not cause eye injury nor flash blindness when used to signal a pilot in an aircraft. Our Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling devices have been on the market since 2001 and have never caused an injury!
6. Won't they stun the pilot/captain whose attention I'm trying to get?
No. When the fan of light crosses your target's vision it will appear as a brilliant flash in the distance and will in no way impair their night vision.
Comparison of cockpit illumination power densities of Rescue Laser® emergency signaling device vs. typical laser pointer:
Let’s compare the amount of laser light power which illuminates an aircraft cockpit from the Rescue Laser to that of a typical laser pointer, at a common signaling distance of 1.5 miles. The laser power level illuminating the cockpit and hitting the pilot’s eye from the Rescue Laser® emergency signaling device is about one trillionth of a watt. This power level is very low because the Rescue Laser® emergency signaling device begins with a very small amount of laser light and then creates a very long 2-dimensional fan (line) of light further reducing the power density of the light. This level can be easily detected but will not obscure pilot vision in any way.
However, because the light from the laser pointer remains in a relatively small one-dimensional pencil thin beam, the laser beam spot size at the aircraft is about 240CM (8 ft) in diameter. Because all of this light is concentrated in a relatively small spot, rather than spread out in a long line like the Rescue Laser, the power density impinging on the pilot’s eye is about 1,000 times greater from the laser pointer, at this distance.
Therefore, although the signaling capability of the Rescue Laser™ emergency rescue devices remain effective for signaling SAR aircraft, the power levels (brightness) of these safety products are reduced by one thousand times, this is a level where visual flight acuity is not affected.
Supporting Analysis:
Rescue Laser Flare®
5mW
5 degree fan angle (87 mrad)
1mrad narrow axis divergence angle
1.5 miles = 2,414 meters
Area of laser line at 2,414 meters = 5.07 Million cm2
Watts/cm2 = .007 / 5,070,000 cm2 = 1.30 x 10-9 W/cm2 = 0.0000000014 W/cm2
Typical Laser Pointer
5mW
1mrad divergence angle
1.5 miles = 2,414 meters
Area of spot at 2,414 meters = 45,745 cm2
Watts/cm2 = .005 / 45,745 cm2 = 1.1 x 10-7 W/cm2 = 0.0000001 W/cm2
The laser light power density from the laser pointer is 1,000 times higher than that from the Rescue Laser Flare®, when both are measured at 1.5 miles.
7. When I shine my Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling device in the distance, I can't see anything. Why?
Lasers are directional lights. Unless the fan of light produced by our products crosses your line of vision or you pass over a retro-reflective material, you will not see the light when aiming at a distance.
8. I'm holding my laser in the air and my friend can't see me. Why?
If you were to just hold a Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling device without aiming while slowly moving it back and forth you will probably not be visible to your target. Because lasers are directional lights, the fan of light must cross their line of vision. This is accomplished by first aiming at your target and then moving the laser slowly back and forth. Every time the fan of light crosses their vision, they will see a brilliant red flash.
9. Does it matter which way the laser line is pointed? If so, how will I be able to tell?
Yes, it does matter. The 6000 ft. high fan of light produced at 16 miles gives to the greatest signaling area. The laser line should be pointed vertically at your target. In order to tell which way the line is directed, point the laser a few feet in front of you on the ground.
10. Can I use a rechargeable battery in the Rescue Laser™ Light and Rescue Laser Flare® Green models?
Yes, a rechargeable CR123 lithium battery may be used in these two models. Most rechargeable batteries have a lower capacity so the laser operating time will be shorter. In other words, you would need to recharge the battery sooner than you would with a new non-rechargeable battery. Both the Rescue Laser™ Light and Rescue Laser Flare® Green models are sold with a new, non-rechargeable CR123 lithium battery.
11. Does TSA allow packing a Rescue Laser™ emergency signaling device with lithium batteries in checked baggage? In a carry-on bag?
Per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the CR123 lithium battery used in these two models may be carried in either carry-on or checked bags when installed in the device. Spare batteries may only be carried in carry-on baggage, and they must have the terminals insulated to prevent short-circuiting. It is OK to pack Rescue Laser with an installed battery in checked luggage as well and in a carry-on bag.
12. Are AA-sized lithium batteries compatible with the Rescue Laser Flare® Magnum model?
Yes, lithium cells are compatible! In fact, they perform well in cold temperatures, so many people in Alaska (where we invented the products), Canada and other cold-weather locations rely on them to stay safe on their winter adventures. If you decide to replace alkaline with lithium batteries, it is important to check that the replacement has the appropriate voltage in addition to being the correct size. Energizer e2 lithium AA batteries produce 1.5 volts, so they may be used to replace any regular alkaline AA cells.
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