Helpers needed. (Cad, designers, specialists)

[warhead052]

Never know how many you will need to put out. Plus if you miss, you have 5 more left to put out there...

[saefroch]

Sorry, but I don't think you'll be able to beat an incendiary flare for the ability to attract attention. The most significant shortcoming is the need for a tall object to attach the signal to, but even assuming you've done that, you still have the issue of actually attracting attention to yourself. Flares overcome this by emitting light in all directions, I suggest you consider something that can do that.

You could probably build a prototype simply by modifying a powerful CO₂ pistol. Possibly something like this.

[Crna Legija]

you should install a loud speaker in the handle because you could at best give them a rough location of where you shot the flare/flag.

[inonickname]

Never know how many you will need to put out. Plus if you miss, you have 5 more left to put out there...

Which is why your pistol is re loadable and you carry spare rounds. You aren't going to outdo a pyrotechnic flare most likely.

[cfb_rolley]

I think there is some substance to this idea. it would be something applicable to many disasters, say flash floods where an area is cut off or people are stuck on a roof at night, and also when you are trapped somewhere after an earthquake.

in the case of flash floods or a tornado, you might have very little warning and be in a rush. what's quicker? grabbing a single flare gun and juggling half a dozen flares while you assist your family in getting to a safe place? or grabbing one single compact flare launcher with 6 flares already in it?

also, how long does an incendiary flare last? not all night. could you stick it to your boat if you were in rough seas? no. would you go letting off an incendiary flare in bushland? no. I'd rather have a sticky, non bush fire starting flare in that one, and quite a few of them if i was lost in the bush for days.

don't go knocking an idea just because there's already something that you can get by with. if everyone did that with every idea of improving something that already exists, bicycles would still be made of wood and our houses lit by candles.

[POLAND_SPUD]

Sure you want to help and all but seriously - it isn't a good idea.

I don't think my last post could be considered as flaming - I was just stating the obvious

if everyone did that with every idea of improving something that already exists, bicycles would still be made of wood and our houses lit by candles

What you don't understand is that not every idea is a good idea.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

What you don't understand is that not every idea is a good idea.

Hear hear. While the sentiment here is admirable, the concept does not seem to offer any practical advantages over existing systems.

[warhead052]

cfb has the right idea. It can be applicable to more than one area of disaster. Flash floods, hurricanes, tornados, cyclones (for our aussie and british friends).

[Crna Legija]

idk with all the debris of a deserter a red/fluro flag thing wont really stand out also if your stuck under you demolished house, chances are there wont be a clear path for you to shoot through and if there is, the storm/flood would have knocked over most tall posted and trees that you could hit.

would you go letting off an incendiary flare in bushland?

you can get special flares that shoot higher then the one you get for boats and will hit the ground cold enough to not ignite dry bush. so yes i would you would only use it when you hear a plane/chopper.

[dewey-1]

I would think that in this modern age of electronics that the device that you propose would be not necessary.

What about a personal communication device that has built in GPS? The cell phone.
Most people today have cell phones seemingly "permanently attached" to their heads now a a days!
Odds are people would have it in their possession or near them rather than looking for the "new system device".

[cammyd32]

8) That stuff sounds as if it work great, is is mushy/ and can you put something in it, cos if you could you could maybe insert a blinking led inside it with a small battery soldered to it, that would provide the lighting, the birdlime stuff would break the shock of its impact with an object and then that would mean the led would not fail or break on impact. That as an idea might work but it might need some fine tuning.

[Technician1002]

In mountain hiking in our area, you can check out a GPS/satelite transponder. If you get lost or fall, the rescue team can fly right to your location. Many cell phones have this ability, so calling 911 (US) can often bring up your location with some dispatch centers.

At home, my emergency kit includes an FRS radio, a portable hiking GPS, and spare sets of batteries in a weather proof container. Being able to call for help where you are not seen and giving a location within 20 feet can eliminate the need to spot a small hard to see distress signal.

It won't set the woods or brush on fire either.
Info on them is in the link.
http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/FAQ_PLB.htm

[warhead052]

I get what your saying, "Its not a great idea". Thats probably what everyone else said to Edison when he invented the light bulb, or to Franklin when he discovered electricity. If you live in an area such as tornado alley, it could be part of a medkit that had everything else you would need to patch someone up and stuff.

[jrrdw]

There's a old saying..."If you build it, they will come".

You may discover something unexpected along the way.

[warhead052]

Yeah, I will start a prototype, does anyone know of a good cartridge design?