A remote control drone assembly to assist in the rescue of distressed swimmers. The drone assembly includes a flotation device that can be released over a distressed swimmer. A retractable spool assembly attached to the drone assembly includes a line having a proximate end tethered to the spool assembly. The drone assembly is constructed and arranged to be flown by an operator over a distressed swimmer. The floatation device is released for use by the distressed swimmer and the drone assembly is returned to the operator. The retractable spool is detached from the drone assembly and attached to a spool retractor. The spool retractor retrieving the floatation device together with the distressed swimmer.

A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.

A pilotless drone is equipped with a life preserver or other buoyant device for delivery to a distressed swimmer. The drone includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum release mechanism to remotely release the life preserver once the drone is positioned over the swimmer. A camera on the drone can be used to locate the swimmer, and a remote control operates the release mechanism so that the operation can be performed from a remote location (such as a life guard station, vessel, etc.).

A new invention for use in an emergency search and rescue situation. A simple, back-to-basic visual locator target easy to be seen from the air during the day or night to quickly locate and rescue the user in an emergency or distressed situation. The (1) circular single-layer of bright, neon material used for this target may preferably have a diameter of 25 and be a strong, lightweight nylon parachute material which can also be used as a temporary shelter if needed until rescued. The vivid neon red-orange color will make it easy to be seen during the day and the neon lime-yellow color in the center and around the edge will glow-in-the-dark and inflate for water use making it easy to be seen at night for a quicker rescue. It can be used on land by laying it on the ground and securing it by using the (3) eight anchor hook connectors; (4) eight anchor hooks; & (5) 2 lb. rubber mallet for anchoring. It can also be used to float in the water with the inflatable, luminescent circumference, center and cross-sections of the target which includes an inflatable chamber therein. The (8) manual back-up air valve system requires the user to blow their breath into the air valve and the automatic inflation requires pulling a cord that causes a mechanism to puncture a (7) (CO2) compressed air cylinder, which then expels to rapidly inflate the bladder. The (6) quick-release pull-cord has a bright red reflective handle, and when pulled, inflates the joined (2) 12 wide tubular circumference, the 4 circular center and four 48.5 cross-sections. The method activates a single pin which is located on the top of the cylinder of compressed air as a deployment handle, which when pulled, releases the bottom of the cylinder and allows the inflatable areas to automatically inflate. The (9) swivel-hook and (10) rope can be used to connect the unit to the boat or user. The lightweight carry bag (11) is easy to carry and store the unit in a variety of places.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an emergency visual search and quick-rescue aid unit that is also inflatable for rescue operations where it is easy to use and inflate if needed. It will include a compact, lightweight carrying case for easy transport, is readily accessible to anyone in time of need, and can be easily stored in a variety of places.

A visual locator target easy to be seen from the air during the day or night to quickly locate and rescue the user in an emergency or distressed situation. The circular single-layer of bright, neon material used for this target may preferably have a diameter of 25 and be a strong, lightweight material the edge will glow-in-the-dark and inflate for water use making it easy to be seen at night for a quicker rescue. It can be used on land by laying it on the ground and securing it by using the eight anchor hook connectors. It can also be used to float in the water with the inflatable, luminescent circumference, center and cross-sections of the target which includes an inflatable chamber therein. The manual back-up air valve system requires the user to blow their breath into the air valve.

A throwable rotateable rescue device with a retrieval cord and a set of peripheral handles that are retained within the rescue ring during storage and throwing of the rescue ring but are automatically extendable to a grasping position without interfering with the rescue device retrieval cord during the flight of the rescue ring thereby enabling a person in distress to easily and quickly grasp the handles and be pulled to safety through the retrieval cord.

A swimmer emergency alerting, tracking, rescue assistance, and rip current mapping system includes a stand and a life preserver that is removably mounted to the stand. The stand includes a solar panel or other charger, and the life preserver includes a battery receiving power from the charger and a sensor that is driven by the battery, such as to detect a location of the life preserver. The stand and the life preservers may wirelessly communicate with another device, such as a user device, to provide information on a status of the stand and the life preserver. A drone may fly from the stand and collect images of a shore, and the drone may process the images to identify a rip current. The drone may use data from a watercraft identifying rip current to train the processing of the images.

A remote control drone assembly to assist in the rescue of distressed swimmers. The drone assembly includes a flotation device that can be released over a distressed swimmer. A retractable spool assembly attached to the drone assembly includes a line having a proximate end tethered to the spool assembly. The drone assembly is constructed and arranged to be flown by an operator over a distressed swimmer. The floatation device is released for use by the distressed swimmer and the drone assembly is returned to the operator. The retractable spool is detached from the drone assembly and attached to a spool retractor. The spool retractor retrieving the floatation device together with the distressed swimmer.