How do you make your own smoke flare or smoke signal for wilderness or boating emergencies?

Question

Looking for an alternative to the Orion Smoke Flares. I want to make my own smoke flare or smoke signal that I can use in emergencies when I go into the wilderness. I don't care what color the smoke is but would prefer a non-natural color like orange, green, or purple so if people see it they don't think it is a campfire. I know I can make smoke bombs out of salt peter and sugar but will this mixture create the amount of smoke that I am looking for? The main thing I am looking for is a good volume of smoke.

Answer 1

why re-invent the wheel here? Orion makes perfectly good distress signals that a) are in waterproof (sorta) packaging b) will work when you ignite them c) wont blow up in your hand when you ignite them d) won't leak all over your backpack while carrying them.

CAUTION ! The flares burn phosphorous. Water will not put them out. You can start one hell of afire in a woods with a flare! The smoke flares get very hot......be really careful how you hold them and where the dripping slag lands!

I think I'd rather carry a good emergency strobe light than a flare in the woods.... see ACR's product line