Where there's Smoke . . .

Pritch

Pritch

Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
1,819
I've often considered adding some form of smoke signal to my gear but have been put off by the high cost of military M-18s, not to mention the HAZMAT fees. For a while I had little smoke bombs from the corner fireworks stand, but decided they just didn't provide enough smoke to get noticed.

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Today I ran across a YouTube video of someone showing how to make your own smoke bombs. I like the idea because I can control the size to fit my kit, as well as the speed of burn and smoke color. Here is the video:
[youtube]qIUp4FCLX9I&hl[/youtube]

Here is a link to a text tutorial. These seem to produce a LOT of smoke and appear to be stable. I would want to modify the design to add a waterproof cap over the fuse, though. (I'm thinking something along the lines of a cigar tube.) I also ran across a site where they sell "kits" that include everything necessary.

Have any of you experimented with homemade smoke bombs? Do you carry smoke?

-- FLIX
 
Be VERY careful making these. Do it outside in small batches, and Note you'll ruin a pot.

They burn very hot, you need to make sure they don't catch anything else on fire.

From a survival POV, signal mirror or flashlight should work just fine. It's smaller lighter safer and reusable.
 
you can buy smoke paks from many scientific supplies house. They are used to test updrafts and wind patterns. They range from 20,000 cubic feet of smoke to over 200,000 cubic feet of smoke.
 
FLIX said:
I've often considered adding some form of smoke signal to my gear but have been put off by the high cost of military M-18s, not to mention the HAZMAT fees. For a while I had little smoke bombs from the corner fireworks stand, but decided they just didn't provide enough smoke to get noticed.

G-07-045-L.jpg

08s.jpg

Today I ran across a YouTube video of someone showing how to make your own smoke bombs. I like the idea because I can control the size to fit my kit, as well as the speed of burn and smoke color. Here is the video:
[youtube]qIUp4FCLX9I&hl[/youtube]

Here is a link to a text tutorial. These seem to produce a LOT of smoke and appear to be stable. I would want to modify the design to add a waterproof cap over the fuse, though. (I'm thinking something along the lines of a cigar tube.) I also ran across a site where they sell "kits" that include everything necessary.

Have any of you experimented with homemade smoke bombs? Do you carry smoke?

-- FLIX
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For cheap fun you can get those going with the pull string innards from a party-popper. Bit of line and there's you tripwire.

The humble clothes peg shouldn't be overlooked when making spring loaded contacts for some cheap fun either. Tack 'em to stuff.
 
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NEVER EVER HEAT POTASSIUM NITRATE (KNO3) AND SUGAR OVER AN OPEN FLAME!!!!!

Look online at a couple pyrotechnic forums, this is a very very simple project.

Also I am very surprised this worked, military and commercial colored smoke uses a different composition because KNO3 and sugar burns too hot and will usually burn whatever is being used as a dye also.

Commercial and military designs will also be more stable and less likly it start a fire if thrown into a flammable environment.
 
spyder10 said:
NEVER EVER HEAT POTASSIUM NITRATE (KNO3) AND SUGAR OVER AN OPEN FLAME!!!!!

Look online at a couple pyrotechnic forums, this is a very very simple project.

Also I am very surprised this worked, military and commercial colored smoke uses a different composition because KNO3 and sugar burns too hot and will usually burn whatever is being used as a dye also.

Commercial and military designs will also be more stable and less likly it start a fire if thrown into a flammable environment.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. One of the reasons I posted this is because chemistry is not my strong suit. In watching some of the videos online, I saw that sometimes if the ratio was off, the device acted somewhat like a rocket. I think in a dry environment the prudent thing would be to lash it to a stick and plant it in the ground so it can't run off and do bad things in the dry brush.

bt2, as intriguing as a pull start would be, I'm afraid it would reduce the device's reliability and might add to its instability. I wouldn't want the thing going off in my pack because I hit a good bump while driving.

I'm looking at this as a safety device, which would go unused until I was lost and a search helicopter was nearby. I guess I'll have to make and test some to verify the right ratio of ingredients, and allso to see if they store well. I could pack it with a couple of storm matches and a striker taped to the exterior, and put it in a zip-lock or foodsaver vacuum bag until needed.


Hmmm. I may have some interesting party favors for NW Mischief this year!!!!

-- FLIX
 
I wonder how well it would work in say a red bull can.

I must also add, in case anyone missed it... DO NOT USE OPEN FLAMES!
 
So, to you SAR types, what are your thoughts regarding this as part of a survival kit? Would orange be the best color? (Seems it would be highly visible in heavy timber as well in snow.)

I struck out on components today but will try again tomorrow.
 
I'm gonna play devils advocate here guys. I do agree that a form of smoke would be helpful/useful in you need the SAR's to find you. BUT Please make sure before you construct or buy (m-18) or carry/have in your possesion(like in a national park,national forest) that you ARE NOT violating some obscure fed reg on "explosive devices" ect ect ect! Now because I agree with your premise(of need/usefulness) I know you can buy flares and flare launchers OTC at walmart (at least you can here in TX). There were some that were single use, about the size of a cigar tube that you pulled safetycaps from both ends,point up and pull a ring to launch. designed for long term storage in life rafts they were durable and lightweight. I'm baseing this on history (VN SF vet stories) but isnt that why they use WP instead of smoke? smoke can be dissapated by trees, overhead cover, and near immpossible to see in foggy,cloudy or dark conditions. Even in bright daylight you send up a flare its a beacon strait to you..2 in a package in your pack..one to get their attention a 2nd one to vector them right to you. just a thought.
 
Anrkst6973 said:
I'm gonna play devils advocate here guys. I do agree that a form of smoke would be helpful/useful in you need the SAR's to find you. BUT Please make sure before you construct or buy (m-18) or carry/have in your possesion(like in a national park,national forest) that you ARE NOT violating some obscure fed reg on "explosive devices" ect ect ect! Now because I agree with your premise(of need/usefulness) I know you can buy flares and flare launchers OTC at walmart (at least you can here in TX). There were some that were single use, about the size of a cigar tube that you pulled safetycaps from both ends,point up and pull a ring to launch. designed for long term storage in life rafts they were durable and lightweight. I'm baseing this on history (VN SF vet stories) but isnt that why they use WP instead of smoke? smoke can be dissapated by trees, overhead cover, and near immpossible to see in foggy,cloudy or dark conditions. Even in bright daylight you send up a flare its a beacon strait to you..2 in a package in your pack..one to get their attention a 2nd one to vector them right to you. just a thought.
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Anrkst6973, what is this WP that is used instead of smoke that you refer to?

Flares would be a much higher fire risk than smoke, but I agree that caution needs to be exercised, both in chosing one's gear and in its proper use. I agree that you don't want to borrow trouble and find yourself facing a beef for possessing a dangerous "incindeary device." :eek:

I have read very dissapointing reviews of the small "pencil" flares that are sometimes suggested for backcountry signaling. (I still may try them at some point.) I still have a 25mm flare gun and flares from when I had my boat. The flares are probably expired by now so I guess I'll have to "dispose" of them.
 
WP or willie pete is White Phosphorus. It is used by the military in a variety of munitions primarily for incendiary effects however it will create smoke and/or explode. It was used quite effectively yet controversially in Fahlajjiah (sp?) for example. I would very strongly recommend against the use of this material due to its extreme flammability and its inherent instability. IIRC it reacts when it comes into contact with water.
 
Was doing a search for something else when I came across tis. Did not realize how old it was until after I posted. Regardless the info I posted is valid.
 
Hi James. Wow, more necromancing! :p

Thanks for "decoding" Whiskey Pete for us non-military types. I have abandoned the idea of home brew smoke grenades, mainly due to stability and waterproofness concerns. Since then, I have found commercial smoke signals from Orion that fit the bill. I mentioned them in this thread: Signaling Trifecta (In this instance, it was packaged with a single pen flare and a miniturized road flare type signal.)

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I'm sure you have access to the real deal thru your SAR group, but for us poor civilian shlubs, this is a great option.
 
I'm glad the info came in handy even if it was really late. I saw the other post about the signalling kit from REI. Actually even us SAR guys have a hard time getting ahold of military smoke and flares. What we do get our hands on we tend to hoard and use very sparingly. As a result we are always trying to find viable commercial options that are not expensive and work well. I appreciate the info and research that you have done so far.
 
Not just fireworks type laws, but bomb and incendiary laws.
Can any one say BATF?

I wish I knew more about it myself. Smoke seems quite useful for
survival situations.
 
Considering that both smoke and flares are sold at marine supply stores and many outdoor stores that carry boating equipment the BATF does not factor into it. I'm not sure of the exact regulations but these items are required for offshore vessels which means you can be fined by the Coast Guard if you are not in compliance with applicable regulations.

I think the issue in the wilderness setting would be causing a forest fire and running afoul of the authorities in that regard.
 
I wouldn't want to be the guy that got pulled over and searched by some steroid upped Nazi while carrying that................unless you need a free plane ticket to GITMO.
 
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