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| "Driven by necessity. Proven by trial. Perfected by experience." |
| HOW SURE-FIND RESCUE SIGNALS WORK!
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 SURE-FIND rocket deployed rescue signal and fire starter kit.
How does it work? A small self guiding rocket is used to pull a 300’ long streamer into the air to a height of approximately 250’ vertically. The streamer is international orange or pink in color, ¾ wide with a thickness of .00875. The streamer is visible with the naked eye to a distance of over 2000’ when viewed across its width. The streamer is the main feature of the signal. The proper deployment of it is the purpose of the rocket and launcher assembly. The steamer is made of a new plastic film which is strong, light and flexible across a wide temperature range. The streamers profile, being that its long and thin causes it to function as a very high aspect ratio airfoil. Its subject to flutter under the slightest breeze this action causes the streamer to alternately twist and untwist along its axis. This action alternately provides a thin-edge, thick-edge view of the streamer over every 360 degrees of twist. When viewed from any angle the streamer appears to actually pulsate along its entire length, reflecting light and color because of its highly polished surface. This movement is unnatural to such a degree that it catches the eyes of any observer. They will involuntarily focus their attention on it. This is the whole idea of a signal device. For searchers to see the streamer is has to be visible The visibility of the streamer is enhanced by spreading it out over the largest feasible area. The rocket is used to tow the streamer out of its container independently of any other means, doing so in any acceptable direction even vertically. This is why trees or other surrounding structures can be used to your advantage. Instead of being hindrances to being located and subsequently rescued, now the trees help suspend the streamer above the surrounding terrain making it more visible. The rocket in the SURE-FIND signal is capable of towing the streamer to and beyond the tops of the very highest trees in a very short 1.83 seconds. After the rockets fuel is depleted the rocket assembly starts back in a long arc as its still tethered to the signal case via the streamer and subject to the forces of gravity and decreasing velocity. This arcing action at the very end of the rockets flight causes the streamer to be laid across the top of the forest canopy. The rocket stabilizer anchors the streamer in the top of the tree canopy. The short flight time and self guiding rocket means the user of the signal does not have to consider wind speed when deploying the signal. It will fly straight regardless of the wind intensity and direction. From the ground location of the user to the top of the forest canopy as much as 300’ above or for some 100’-200’ across the top of the canopy you have a pulsating and highly visible streamer which is visible to both ground based and airborne search personal. Entangled in the top of the supporting tree canopy the streamer will remain in place until removed or it breaks down from UV damage some two years after deployment. The wind induced flexing of the streamer causes it to shed any snow or freezing rain which would cover other visibility enhancing devices. Unlike other airborne signals the wind if present actually helps spread the excess streamer material into the tops of trees over a greater distance while at the same time the streamer is actually in the vicinity of the user because the streamers lower end remains attached to the launcher assembly where the user is.
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Click on image to download launch video clip (2.75 mb)
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