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I was out in the surf off the NSW coast today, and it was scary as hell. Massive waves that suck you in and spin you around like a washing machine, coupled with

by aynsof 9y ago

I was out in the surf off the NSW coast today, and it was scary as hell. Massive waves that suck you in and spin you around like a washing machine, coupled with a strong current pulling you out to deep water. I definitely would have felt safer knowing there was a drone in the sky above me, ready to drop a flotation device on me. Our lifesavers do a great job, but it's a long, long way from the beach out to a drowning swimmer.

pbhjpbhj 9y ago
You could tow a floatation device anyway, then the drone doesn't even need to work. It's there a "pocket-sized" buoyancy aid that locks into a small canister you can strap to your wrist/ankle? I'd guess not due to insurance liabilities.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- maxerickson 9y ago
  Belts and vests. Search "inflatable pfd".
- TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
  > It's there a "pocket-sized" buoyancy aid that locks into a small canister you can strap to your wrist/ankle? Yes, yes there is. It straps to your wrist and uses a CO2 canister like the ones used to inflate bicycle tyres: https://www.amazon.com/Kingii-Lightweight-Wearable-Portable-Recreational/dp/B019YT2DZM https://www.amazon.com/Kingii-Lightweight-Wearable-Portable-...
ckinnan 9y ago
>I definitely would have felt safer knowing there was a drone The presence of drones will likely encourage people to take more risks in rough surf. The same thing happened with car air bags-- when they were introduced, people with airbags drove more aggressively, negating the safety benefit.
- aynsof 9y ago
  That was a conversation we were just having today. We definitely went out further than was safe, simply because there were lifeguards on the beach. I've been to plenty of beaches without lifeguards and been far more risk-averse. It wasn't a conscious choice. It was only something I became aware of once I'd had that dangerous experience in the water. Risk management is a funny thing.
- wlesieutre 9y ago
  More background on this behavior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation

by aynsof 9y ago

pbhjpbhj 9y ago

You could tow a floatation device anyway, then the drone doesn't even need to work. It's there a "pocket-sized" buoyancy aid that locks into a small canister you can strap to your wrist/ankle? I'd guess not due to insurance liabilities.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
maxerickson 9y ago
Belts and vests. Search "inflatable pfd".
TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
> It's there a "pocket-sized" buoyancy aid that locks into a small canister you can strap to your wrist/ankle? Yes, yes there is. It straps to your wrist and uses a CO2 canister like the ones used to inflate bicycle tyres: https://www.amazon.com/Kingii-Lightweight-Wearable-Portable-Recreational/dp/B019YT2DZM https://www.amazon.com/Kingii-Lightweight-Wearable-Portable-...

ckinnan 9y ago

>I definitely would have felt safer knowing there was a drone The presence of drones will likely encourage people to take more risks in rough surf. The same thing happened with car air bags-- when they were introduced, people with airbags drove more aggressively, negating the safety benefit.

aynsof 9y ago
That was a conversation we were just having today. We definitely went out further than was safe, simply because there were lifeguards on the beach. I've been to plenty of beaches without lifeguards and been far more risk-averse. It wasn't a conscious choice. It was only something I became aware of once I'd had that dangerous experience in the water. Risk management is a funny thing.
wlesieutre 9y ago
More background on this behavior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation