Mr. Miller:
Thanks for taking the time to provide your input. To be honest, I think you know a lot more than I about the history and source of this float.
The float itself is essentially a lifeguard "rescue can" (I think that is what they call them). They are extremely hardy, have several hand holds, are quite light because they are made from hollow plastic and they provide a good bit of flotation to the victim. They are also easy to tow through the surf with a shoulder strap. The flag holder and counter weight and belt etc. - is probably more modern.
You might also note the white plastic ball at the top of the flag pole. That is something we at MAKO came up with ourselves (kinda tough to brag about inventing a ball) 
but I felt that it was an important safety feature to add to the design - should someone fall onto the float while it is standing up on a boat or the beach.
Thanks Again!
Dano
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You are correct it was designed for the SoCal life guards by a SoCal life guard as a rescue can, in it's original life guard configuration it had a strap arrangement that the rescuer slung over his shoulder and towed the can behind him.
It was soon discovered by LA County SoCal scuba instructors and dive charter boat owners and became known as the "Burnside Buoy"--- which might have been it's official name
A few years later Bob produced a super buoy which was about a third longer which gave additional floatation capabilities but was equality awkward to use and never gained popularity with my tribe.
All this occurred in the early 1970s or so when PADI was two cardboard boxes in a small office in Costa Mesa. Therefore you will hear very little on the subject from the PADI types.
I suspect Bob is no longer with us and is rescuing in the great reef in the sky. I also suspect his company was sold and or the patents expired and some other company is producing the cans.
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I commend you for your BALL - a small addition but a very important one for the safety of the user and those around them.
I also commend you for the correct size of your dive flag-- So many manufactures condider a dive flag as anything red with a white stripe. Not So ! ..Its original configuration as established and agreed upon in the developmental stages was to be 5 units wide X 4 Units high X a 1 unit diagonal stripe, later changes to a square configuration for ease of production. Some day some one with be injured fling what is representative of a dive flag and some sharp attorney will declare it a red & white rag.
FYI...... I have been known as an "expert witness " since 1957.....surprisingly the first case was a shooting death with a spear gun..the defense declared a spear gun was a toy --it was proven other wise.
However, my milestone case was in 1962 when a diver who was displaying a then 5 years old divers flag was struck by a boat and injured. I was called as the only expert witness, certainly an awesome responsibility but we prevailed and the red and white flag was identified in a court of law as a recognized flag of diving activity
As an ex Captain USAF, Korean war I salute you with 21 guns for your support of veterans.-- They certainly deserve more than they are receiving.
SDM
