You can talk on the radio and still be hard to find. Trees, terrain, darkness, spray, dust. This guide makes the case for carrying signals that get eyes on you fast, then helps you build a simple kit that works on land and water.
Be Seen: Visibility and Rescue Gear
The fastest rescues pair long range alerting with obvious visual cues. Start with a satellite alert device. Add an elevated marker or bright perimeter. Finish with night and day signals that cut through distance and clutter. Below we show what belongs in a pilot or crew kit and who each product serves best.
Quick compare
| Signal | What it does | Day | Night | Setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACR ResQLink 400 PLB | Sends GPS distress to the Cospas Sarsat system | Coordinates to teams | LED and IR aid on unit | Instant | Solo pilots, remote strips, over water hops |
| AirMarker R.One | Raises a bright marker above trees and swell | High visibility | Clip a strobe or use eVDSD | About a minute | Hunters, boaters, ranch and utility work, backcountry strips |
| LZ Marker LED Kit | Creates a perimeter or pattern crews can see from the air | Scene control | Excellent visibility | About a minute for a 4 point set | Fire and EMS, training lanes, road work, event control |
| ACR ResQFlare Pro | Electronic distress flare that is reusable | Limited | Very bright and patterned | Instant | Night signaling where pyro is restricted |
| Comet Day and Night flare | Orange smoke by day and red flare by night | Outstanding contrast | Immediate attention | Instant | Day pickup, quick night cue with training and care |
| SEE RESCUE Streamer | Unrolls a long, high contrast panel that is easy to spot | Excellent sustained marking | Good with lighted version | About 30 seconds | Daytime search, coastal and desert, downed crew |
| Rescue Laser | Projects a fan you can sweep across terrain and clouds | Directional cue | Excellent long range cue | Instant | Air and sea acquisition at distance. Never point at aircraft |
Build your be seen kit
Primary alert. GPS distress to the global system. No monthly plan.
Who it serves Solo pilots, floatplane and coastal hops, remote ag strips, backcountry flights.
Raised marker on a tether. Clears trees and swell. Easy to spot from above.
Who it serves Hunters, boaters, ranch and utility crews, off airport landings. Pairs well with a strobe or eVDSD at night.
Six rechargeable pucks. Program once and repeat. Clean patterns that pilots trust.
Who it serves Fire and EMS, sheriff and SAR, utility, event and traffic control.
Electronic distress flare. Bright at night. Reusable. No hazmat storage.
Who it serves Pilots and boaters who need legal night signaling where pyro is limited.
Orange smoke by day and red flare by night. Classic for quick attention.
Who it serves Crews who can carry pyrotechnic signals under local rules and want maximum pop.
Unfurl and forget. It keeps marking while you manage the situation.
Who it serves Daytime search on land or water. Works well with a PLB and AirMarker.
Long range visual cue. Sweep across terrain and clouds. Never at aircraft.
Who it serves Air and sea rescue at distance and in haze.
Timbered ridge, late light
Bowhunter sends PLB. AirMarker rises above the canopy with a clipped strobe. Air crew calls visual within minutes of entering the search box.
Two lane night LZ
EMS drops a 4 corner LED set and marks wires with two extra pucks. Traffic stays out, dust stays down, pilot calls a clean pattern on final.
How to mark a simple night LZ in three steps
- Pick a flat, clear area and remove loose items within 100 feet.
- From center, pace a square about 75 to 100 feet. Place four LED pucks at the corners on a steady pattern and color.
- Use two more pucks or strobes to mark hazards like wires or poles. Keep hazard lights on a flashing pattern.
Loadouts you can copy
- Solo pilot PLB 400 + SEE RESCUE Streamer + ResQFlare Pro
- Hunter or boater AirMarker + ResQFlare Pro + Comet Day and Night flare
- Agency night ops LZ LED Kit + personal strobes on vest or helmet
FAQ
PLBs
Does the PLB 400 need a subscription
No monthly fee. Register it, keep your contact info current, and service or replace the battery at the stated interval or after activation.
PLB or satellite messenger
PLB sends SOS to the Cospas Sarsat system without a plan. A messenger like the ACR Bivy Stick adds two way text and tracking with a plan. Many pilots carry both.
AirMarker
Does the balloon help under a canopy
Yes. The marker rises above trees and brush on a tether. Add a strobe or electronic flare at night.
What about wind and rain
Use a shorter tether in wind and anchor firmly. In rain, pair with an eVDSD for brightness and a streamer for daytime contrast.
LZ LED Kits
Only for landings
No. They also mark scene perimeters, training lanes, temporary traffic and event flow.
How many pucks do I need
Four for the corners and two for hazards is a fast, proven layout. Keep them charged in the case.
Night and day signals
Can ResQFlare Pro replace pyrotechnic flares
Often at night. Check local rules. It is reusable and avoids hazmat storage.
Daytime option if pyro is limited
The Comet Day and Night flare gives orange smoke by day. Add a SEE RESCUE Streamer for sustained marking.
Last updated: October 7, 2025
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