News Report Shows Just How Difficult It Is To Spot Someone In The Water

[ASTBoone]

This video shows just how hard it is to spot someone in the water. This was done from a stationary helicopter. Add forward flight from a fixed wing aircraft and it makes it even more difficult. This is why it is so important to make your searchers see you.
Chief Hathaway shows one method by throwing water into the air. This is very effective when you have nothing else (signals).
He also shows how to preserve body heat by performing the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP). The only thing he didn't mention is that the HELP position CANNOT be held without wearing floatation.

[Dave22q]

I decided my MOB preserver was not real visible either from the boat or from the water. my solution was to attach a 5' dowel with some ribbon stapled to the top, a crab trap float and weights to keep it upright in the water (similar to a diver down rig). also added another float to the 30' lifeline to increase a swimmer's access to the preserver. have I just reinvented the wheel here?

[s/v Beth]

Water proof GPS. Waterproof handheld VHF. You can buy MOB transponders that show up on AIS. Don't solo.