"Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?...

Posted by: KTOA

"Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/08/04 12:39 AM

http://www.surefind.ca/

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this product? I just found it today while "surfing".

Alan
Posted by: KTOA

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 05:44 AM

Sheeesh...125 views and not a single reply?!? I was just hoping to start some friendly dialogue.

- I have absolutely no affiliation w/ this product
- I'm a pilot and I was curious about the product
- Seems like I would be carrying dynamite onboard but it is probably no worse than a flare gun
- Good idea for a very specific situation...dense forest...stupid for open spaces, like the deserts I constantly fly over. I'll just set what's left of the aircraft on fire
- I think aiming the product may be more difficult than they make it out to be, JMHO

BTW, I'm a long time reader - first time poster. I've come across some great ideas here over the past 12 months.

Alan
Posted by: Paul810

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 07:36 AM

The idea behind it is sound (that being a big reflective thing on trees will attract people), but I don't know how tested the method it is. I'm sure there are plenty of both negative and positive aspects to it.
Posted by: billvann

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 02:49 PM

Looks like no one really has any experience with the product. The logic presented on the site makes sense... but does it really work? I'm sure the rocket will present the ribbon as described, but will SAR folks in the air see it?

Sounds like a product Doug should put on his list for investigation and testing! <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 04:46 PM

Great idea .... especially for jungle/ woodland signal marking.

However, IMHO, I am not that keen on the "need to light fuse" aspect. I would prefer that there be some other method such as implemented with more traditonal aerial flares. Fuse and match just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Rebuttal ???!
Posted by: bountyhunter

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 06:15 PM

Wouldn't colored smoke generators be more effective?

You could carry them on your person and have them available in the event you are on the move and hear or see aircraft coming near.

A 3/4" wide tape just does not seem very realistic unless the search aircraft is going to approach it at a perpindicular angle and thereby see that it is a man made device. Also the prospect of animals or weather pushing all or parts of it into the tree canopy do not seem to make it a secure type of signaling device.

Bountyhunter
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 07:48 PM

Seems to be somewhat better than the temporary usefullness of a flare or smoke generator but it also brings the dangers of those devices. If this somehow fires it's rocket but doesn't clear the canopy then you will start a forest fire. That will bring attention but also it's own' set of problems. I am not sure that it would be that much better either, since it could become entangled and downed by weather or animals rather quickly. The proper arrangement of sticks and shirt can become a really good kite for lofting a streamer if you can find enough pasture or area above tree-line and a kite can carry a streamer of accident scene tape easily. This allows you to loft a banner without setting the forest ablaze but isn't useful at all if you have a broken leg. The idea of having the rocket of this device ignited by piezo or other automatic means is a good one since the lighter - fuse combination requires the user to be more capable. OTOH, haveing a sealed lighter in the kit makes this multi-use. If the rocket doesn't succeed in setting the forest ablaze you still have the lighter with which to try again!
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 08:05 PM

we need to know if this will shoot through the canopy ... time for Doug to combobulate another test on signals and such.

The potential here is high ... the praticality may need some work.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/10/04 08:06 PM

Ideally the streamer would be a fire and forget ( pass out ) ... smoke is fleeting and requires consciousness ... flying a radar kite/streamer requires effort.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/11/04 01:40 PM

God knows I'm not an expert in anything to do with survival, but ... this seems to fall into the “Gee that looks neat but I wonder if it REALLY works” category. Yes, a pink or orange ribbon is not natural and therefore is somewhat attention-getting, but looking at the photos on their web site, I wasn’t that impressed with how visible it DID make a survivor. If I did buy one, it would be in addition to other signaling aids, not as the primary one.
Posted by: benjammin

Re: "Sure-Find" - Any thoughts?... - 02/12/04 07:31 AM

I'm inclined to agree. Kinda reminds me of the old helium balloon floater with a long foil tail trailing below and a tether. Might be good in a few limited situations, worthless in most.