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Lifesaving model helicopter

An assistant to lifeguards for delivring floatation device
  (+7, -1)
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Deliver a lightweight floatation device using a toy remote controlled helicopter to sinking person in the sea.

Alternatively model airplanes could be used, but they are not very good at hovering.

I think this could be much faster method of delivery of floatation device compared to lifeguard running and jumping into the water.

Is Baywatch listening ?

VJW, Jan 25 2011

More reliable, perhaps. http://history.msfc...ov/rocketry/16.html
[mouseposture, Jan 25 2011]

[link]






       Alternatively, a stack of aerobie life rings with a skeet launcher.   

       P.S. category?
Ling, Jan 25 2011
  

       fixed.
VJW, Jan 25 2011
  

       I'd guess a lot of rescues have to be made in stormy conditions. Model helicopters (the controllable ones - not the tiny indoor ones) are hard enough to control in good conditions.   

       Perhaps a harpoon with a flotation device - doesn't require the standed person to be concious.
Twizz, Jan 25 2011
  

       //The whole idea is based on a false premise and would be greatly improved by the addition of a trebuchet.//   

       Beat ya to it, [pertinax] ...
8th of 7, Jan 25 2011
  

       //trebuchet//
"Woohoo! nailed him"
"Yes, but now he's sinking"
"But we know where he is"
  

       [+]
FlyingToaster, Jan 25 2011
  

       an article I read recently discussed using quadcopter drones to deploy lifesaving equipment to drowning people. Even a small drone could get to the victim faster than an Olympic swimmer. I'll give this a bun, even though technology has surpassed this idea.
whlanteigne, Jun 02 2015
  

       I saw a video on that a few months ago. It looked pretty effective.   

       Didn't Patent Bending try a couple of methods (I think a rocket and a cannon) for this purpose?
notexactly, Jun 13 2015
  

       If the quad floated, it would give new meaning to deploying the lifesaver.
wjt, Jun 13 2015
  

       Don't just drop pool toys on me and leave! Tow me to shore already!
bungston, Jun 13 2015
  

       // If the quad floated, it would give new meaning to deploying the lifesaver.//   

       Actually, you probably could make a quadcopter that doubled as a flotation device. The body would be made largely of expanded polystyrene with a tougher shell.   

       The only problem would be sealing around the propeller shafts, but that would probably be doable.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 13 2015
  

       Well I think Sweden is trialling or looking at or thinking about autonomous drones equipped with Defribulators for extremely rapid response for heart attacks. So there's a lot of movement in this space.   

       Lifesavers might be better off with a cannon of sorts that shoots a floating line across the victim who can grab on and be towed back to shore. This could be made with off-the shelf components (and would very much be increased incentive for people to become lifesavers...).   

       There are quadcopters available that are semi-waterproof, ie they can land in water and, mostly, the motors stay dry-ish (with appropriate water proofing and maintenance of the bearings it all survives nicely). Maybe a contactless magnetic coupling could be used to conduct drive across a waterproof membrane?
Custardguts, Jun 14 2015
  

       //there's a lot of movement in this space// They wouldn't be much use otherwise.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 14 2015
  

       Waterproof, amphibious quadcopters have been on the market for at least a year now. I think Flite Test has a video on one. You'd just need to add a lot more flotation to that. I recommend aerogel for minimal extra weight it has to carry.
notexactly, Jun 15 2015
  

       Cannons would be a fixed target deal but a fishing line tied drone life-ring would have all the advantages.
wjt, Jun 15 2015
  
      
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