I taught the boating class at the local tech college for many years and I had my students light hand held flares with safety glasses and welding gloves and a metal bucket the first night of class. All you need is a concrete or dirt area with buildings or other visual barriers so someone far off does not think there is a real emergency. Be ready for a smoke bath downwind. I have a buddy that used the Coast Guard approved flares in daylight and it was so weak that he finally got help by waving his arms. SOLAS flares are like having a welding light and do get noticed.