Balloon instead of flares, brilliant idea.

[Sybaris]

Forget flares. Next time you're in trouble, send up a balloon
http://www.cnet.com/news/forget-flares-next-time-youre-in-trouble-send-up-your-own-balloon/

 

[TQA]

I would buy one.

 

[telford_mike]

Visions of boat floating away.....

 

[Chris_Robb]

But what happens if its blowing a gale?

 

[charles_reed]

But what happens if its blowing a gale?

Don't be a spoilsport...

 

[vyv_cox]

But what happens if its blowing a gale?

When I was a young lad I had an RAF rescue box kite like this one http://www.hobbyswoodmilitaria.co.u...-dinghy-rescue-box-kite-type-m357a-9028-p.asp It would fly in almost no wind, easily launched straight from my hand and once up would stay there almost indefinitely. I remember launching it one morning, going to school and finding it still flying when I came home at teatime.

 

[Mistroma]

But what happens if its blowing a gale?

I suspect it would go sideways more than up in even a light wind. The blurb says 21" diameter and that would give an approx. volume in region 70 - 80 litres (it doesn't look like a sphere).

Unless I'm wrong that would give a max. lift in region of 80gms (assuming the balloon & line weigh nothing and ignoring LED + battery). This is based on approx. relative densities of helium and air.

If that's correct then a balloon with volume of around 75 litres (and therefore lots of windage) with lift of under 80gms would just be blown sideways most of the time. I suppose even a few metres above water would be of some help locating a casualty but not for attracting attention from miles away.

So mainly for use in fairly calm conditions. Don't feel inclined to invest in this device (unless someone does more detailed calcs. and shows figs. are way off).

 

[Steve Clayton]

I would buy one.

Two: 1 in liferaft and t'other in grab-bag for use on boat or as a spare if one has to launch the raft

 

[michael_w]

Err, what happens at night?

A few years ago I was involved in a night rescue when a boat foundered near the Nab Tower. Pyrotechnics proved very useful in pinpointing the liferaft against the mass of Portsmouth lights.

 

[Sandyman]

Total waste of time but no doubt will sell to those terrified of pyro.

 

[rich]

When I was a young lad I had an RAF rescue box kite

Hey, I had one of those too, almost lifted me off my feet,

 

[rivonia]

Brilliant idea. Have two and the flares and mega watt torch.

 

[srm]

What goes around comes around.
Seem to remember something similar being advertised and reviewed way back in the 60's or 70's. That incarnation had a kite shape and claimed to fly above the distressed vessel in any wind. Soon faded from the yachting mags though.

 

[RAI]

Doesn't helium have a sneaky habit of defusing through steel cylinder walls, let alone through thin balloon fabric?

 

[Artic Warrior]

I know there is a small kite that is made of thin foil, and acts like a radar reflector.
A lot of walkers and climbers use them,,,,It launches and stays flying it self with no problem

 

[Ric]

Bit daft for sailing but would definitely be very useful for canyoning.