Silly idea - mylar balloons as safety gear?

[Fore and Aft]

Now you're talking Tellie. I see the world kite surfing record is 673 kilometres in one day, so self-rescue could be a possibility.
Cheers

[Wotname]

The main problem with anything using helium is the helium!
Helium is a most unusual element. While it is the second most common element in the universe, it is rare on earth.

It is a non renewable single use resource that can't be manufactured or created. It can only be 'mined' from existing ore / natural gas reserves and it is incredibly hard to store (especially long term storage). It leaks through steel cylinders and once used, it is gone forever. It is very very difficult to recycle. In essence, once captured by 'mining', it has a 'short shelf life'.

[Rumrace]

Deep diving gas is not air 78n 21% Ox 1 other guys. Heliox which is helium and 15-17% oxygen
Normal diving air is just compressed dry air.
The nitrogen has a narcotic effect few survive past 200 feet and the oxygen at 21.4 becomes toxic.
breathing helium is cold as heck, rips body heat away so we fill our suits with argon to reflect body heat. Several scuba shops can dial any gas you need. Argon we buy refills

[NPCampbell]

Originally Posted by Wotname

The main problem with anything using helium is the helium!
Helium is a most unusual element. While it is the second most common element in the universe, it is rare on earth.

It is a non renewable single use resource that can't be manufactured or created. It can only be 'mined' from existing ore / natural gas reserves and it is incredibly hard to store (especially long term storage). It leaks through steel cylinders and once used, it is gone forever. It is very very difficult to recycle. In essence, once captured by 'mining', it has a 'short shelf life'.

Helium can be definitely be made ... but you have to wear dark sunglasses and wear plenty of sunblock.

[Wotname]

^^

[Canopus]

Darn! You beat me to it...

[off-piste]

Who needs mylar balloons when you can lock yourself in the pilothouse, duh

[Canopus]

Originally Posted by Wotname

The main problem with anything using helium is the helium!
Helium is a most unusual element. While it is the second most common element in the universe, it is rare on earth.

It is a non renewable single use resource that can't be manufactured or created. It can only be 'mined' from existing ore / natural gas reserves and it is incredibly hard to store (especially long term storage). It leaks through steel cylinders and once used, it is gone forever. It is very very difficult to recycle. In essence, once captured by 'mining', it has a 'short shelf life'.

Hydrogen would be better than Helium; both are tricky to store but hydrogen is plentiful!

[pete c]

Hydrogen is plentiful, but difficult to store.

[boatman61]

Why Hydrogen or Helium.. compressed air is perfectly adequate.. the object is to have a lightweight luminescent sphere maybe 10 x the size of a human head.
Why do humans have to always opt for the most complicated methods when KISS is under their nose..

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Why Hydrogen or Helium.. compressed air is perfectly adequate.. the object is to have a lightweight luminescent sphere maybe 10 x the size of a human head.
Why do humans have to always opt for the most complicated methods when KISS is under their nose..

While altitude is helpful, yeah, a 10ft diameter orange ball floating on the surface next to the guy would be a pretty big improvement for long range spotting.

[wholybee]

A smoke grenade as kept in any offshore flare kit creates a giant red arrow pointing at you, seen for many miles. A large balloon would not be better than this.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by wholybee

A smoke grenade as kept in any offshore flare kit creates a giant red arrow pointing at you, seen for many miles. A large balloon would not be better than this.

But after a few minutes the smoke grenade will be gone.

A large balloon would be visible indefinitely short of damage.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by wholybee

A smoke grenade as kept in any offshore flare kit creates a giant red arrow pointing at you, seen for many miles. A large balloon would not be better than this.

So you'll constantly move around the boat with 1 or 2 smoke grenades strapped to you..???
Good luck with that..
Height
114 mm (4.5 inches)
Diameter
82 mm (3.2 inches)
Weight
365 g (12.85 oz)

[jalmberg]

Go all the way and carry hot air balloons on deck. Boat sinking, no problem! Inflate balloons and carry on!