Interestingly, light sticks do not spark or create significant heat so they are safe to use around an open flame. Also, the wind has no effect on the light source and since the sticks are waterproof they can be used … underwater. They are a great addition to your survival arsenal!
Other Examples:
1.) Use at Night to Mark Your Location for Rescuers
Activate glow sticks and place in empty and capped water bottles to float on water to signal aircraft and watercraft. Most glow sticks will sink because their density is greater than the water. If you do not have water bottles attach stringers to the sticks so they can be secured to keep them from sinking out of sight.
The sticks can be seen when submerged in water, but of course the deeper they are, the harder they would be to detect form the surface. Glow sticks are waterproof, and do not react to water pressure and so can be used when scuba diving as well.
If you are nowhere near a body of water then use the sticks to mark your location on the ground in clearings and along paths and roadways that can be seen from overhead at night.
Unnatural things in nature get spotted more easily, so your signal has to stand out from nature. A group of three is the universal signal for distress. “SOS” three “X’s” and so on can be used when signaling for help. If you hear an aircraft or watercraft you can attach an
activated glow stick to several feet of Paracord and spin it overhead to create a light blur that can be seen at night.2.) Follow in Formation
If lost as a group the best method for navigating at night is to designate a point person. That person carries a light source and plots the course, and others follow behind. Others form up behind and follow the directions of the point person, but
Under normal circumstances, you would not be navigating in waters you are unfamiliar with in the dark, so always attempt to mark a safe channel during the day and mark hazards with glow sticks that can be activated at night as you leave to go fishing in a boat/canoe for example. you have to be able to see the person in front of you.
Attaching glow sticks to each pack or to the person allows the person behind to follow more easily. It is quite easy to become confused in the dark and having glow lights as markers attached to a person can keep everyone grouped together and moving in a straight line.
You cannot have everyone in the group reading maps and compasses and trying to decide which way to go. Designate one person to cut down on confusion, and to keep from getting off the trail use glow sticks to keep track of the person you are following.3.) Marking Trip Hazards
If you have set up a tent or have made a shelter out of ponchos or tarps then there are probably guy-lines and stakes in the ground that you and others can trip over in the dark. Mark them with glow sticks. Hang the lights off any lines that are strung and place near any stakes protruding from the ground. Use the sticks to mark other natural or man-made hazards that you would want to avoid in the dark.4.) Use When Fishing At Night
Fish are attracted to light so when night fishing attach a glow stick to the end of your pole or attach to your line to attract fish.5.)Help Keep Children Calm and Track Their Location
You can purchase glow stick bracelets that children can wear at night to help calm them in the dark, and so you can spot them more easily as they move about. If you do not have the bracelets you can attach glow sticks to their clothing front and back, so you can see them if they do wander a short distance away.
We want to note that although the chemical inside the glow stick is not toxic you should never cut into it. The chemicals CAN cause rashes or burns.
It also might be noted that, under the right conditions, a glow stick can be seen up to a mile. There are glow sticks in a survival situation tips used on Preparing For SHTF so we encourage you to go over an take a look!