How many types of flares are typically used for distress signaling?

Flares used for distress signaling are critical tools for communication in emergencies at sea. Typically, there are three main types of flares utilized:

1. Handheld Flares: These are manually activated and can be used by individuals in the water or on a vessel to signal for help directly and visually.

2. Parachute Flares: Designed to be launched into the air, these flares ascend and then release a bright burning light while descending, making them visible from a great distance. They are particularly effective for signaling from a vessel and can be spotted from planes and ships.

3. Smoke Flares: These produce a dense, colored smoke, useful for daytime signaling. The smoke can be seen from afar and is advantageous in situations where visual location needs to be marked.

These three types of flares cover various situations, enhancing visibility and signaling capability during distress, which is why this is recognized as the standard number in distress signaling practices.