Flotation and Locating Device

Abstract

A personal flotation and locating device for increasing the survivability and visibility of an individual stranded in water is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the flotation and locating device comprises a rescue streamer, the rescue streamer including a plurality of branching pneumatic stays structures.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 622,986, filed Apr. 11, 2012 and entitled “Flotation and Locating Device,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY[0002]Oceans, and other bodies of water, serve as major attractions for families and individuals across the world. Such bodies of water provide a medium for a wide variety of sports and activities, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, and surfing. Unfortunately, such bodies of water also pose significant risks to individuals, including treacherous surfs, strong currents, winds, etc. Upon being separated from one's vessel, an individual may have to survive in the water while contending with fatigue, hypothermia, and / or predators. Additional factors, including inclement weather, the vastness of the body of water and darkness after sunset, compound the problem for search a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new personal flotation and locating device for use in water, called the rescue streamer. This device includes a plurality of branching pneumatic stays that provide buoyancy and support to the streamer. The stays are in fluid communication with one another, allowing for rapid inflation and visibility. The streamer is flexible and easy to transport. The technical effects of this device are improved visibility, buoyancy, and support for individuals stranded in water, making them easier to rescue.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, such bodies of water also pose significant risks to individuals, including treacherous surfs, strong currents, winds, etc.

Additional factors, including inclement weather, the vastness of the body of water and darkness after sunset, compound the problem for search and rescue crews.

The inventor herein has recognized that while personal flotation devices (PFDs) increase an individual's chance of surviving the separation from their vessel by helping to keep the individual afloat, such devices may not make the individual sufficiently more visible to search and rescue crews.

When combined with typical PFDs, however, such devices are cumbersome to set up and, when donned before entering the water, restrict movement during activities which require a high degree of mobility.

A lack of laws in some regions requiring the use of PFDs, combined with their cumbersome and restrictive designs, cause individuals to eschew the use of these devices which might otherwise save their lives.

Images