Helium inflated SMB

[Belmont]

I would like your comments on an idea I had for an emergency signaling device.

It would be a baloon made of Mylar in an aluminium, orange or yellow color with a radar reflective coating.

The device would be inflated on the surface with a small pressurized bottle filled with helium and tethered to the diver with a 20 foot or so fishing line.

Do you see any utility for such a device, any drawbacks, any potential danger, any improvement.

Has it already been copyrighted?

If not, well, put my name next to Cousteau's in the scuba hall of fame...

 

[Thalassamania]

Already been done. We tested several, they worked well and could be easily picked up on ship's radar. It was on the market for a year or so and then the company disappeared.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

I've seen SOS kites. Similar idea I guess.

Make it orange with the black square and circle. It's internationally recognized as distress.

 

[John_B]

Has it already been copyrighted?

FWIW, inventions are patented.

John

 

[Belmont]

FWIW, inventions are patented.

John

Oop, my mistake...err... I meant my text

 

[Belmont]

Already been done. We tested several, they worked well and could be easily picked up on ship's radar. It was on the market for a year or so and then the company disappeared.

Another dream of riches down the drain, guess I'll have to cancel my dive boat order

 

[Thalassamania]

Another dream of riches down the drain, guess I'll have to cancel my dive boat order

Hey, you've still got your shirt ... the guy that was flogging the helium jobbies probably lost his.

 

[Web Monkey]

Has it already been copyrighted?

It's been done, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.

I'd be willing to bet the guy would happily sell you his patent for not too much money. He might even hook you up with a manufacturer and save you some leg-work.

Terry

 

[Belmont]

It's been done, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.

I'd be willing to bet the guy would happily sell you his patent for not too much money. He might even hook you up with a manufacturer and save you some leg-work.

Terry

You know, I already have a business that is very "down to earth", footwear that is.
I prefer in that case funding my $addiction$ , scuba diving that is.

But going back to the subject, theorically speaking, what do you guys think of the gadget?

 

[Cacia]

I'm thinking maybe inexpensive IPERBS are right around the corner.

But the idea is good...actually somebody else told me about this as his BIG secret idea.

so...you are not alone.