After the Occy thing on ABC just now, there was an advert for "New Inventors" and this invention will be on the show on Wednesday night... 8pm.... that's all I've got !
I've been musing on the idea of a single line, sled kite for use in downwinders.
You could:
- Attach it to your body to get a power assist for catching runners.
- Send it up as a rescue beacon if you get stuck.
www.landfallnavigation.com/sky-alert-parafoil-kite.html
- Use it to tow you towards the lee shore.
I suspect a kite with sufficient power for for towing would be too big (single skin sled or NASA wing) or too complicated (ram air and multiple lines) to be practical.
Well the Life Buoy invention tonight turned out to be pretty lame.....
Not even worth posting a link....
To save anyone looking, here it is, but it's not worth viewing....http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2874634.htm
Don't say you weren't warned !! 
(Actually, it's OK, but it is not relevant to Down Wind Paddles, and it is heavily reliant on the life buoy and the person, 1 - finding each other, and 2 - staying together.... it is a pier based, or man overboard based system)...
yeah the product doesn't suit paddle boards, more of a rock fisherman or commercial boat product, saw a article in local news paper in Sutho shire, where those lifebuoys are set up, one was stolen and they tracked it down using google maps to a blokes house, where it was retrieved, nothing pisses me off more than life saving equipment being knocked off, looks like a pretty good invention to me, if u r worried about being lost at sea- you should be wearing a pocket size EPIRB, blow the $450, could be the best insurance you can get.
I bought a Fast Find 211 PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) recently, which is pretty good. It is small, light and waterproof. It has a built in GPS receiver
It transmits on both the old 121.5Mhz frequency and also the new 406Mhz one.
Here is a link to finding out more about these www.oroliamaritime.com/
There are also these SPOT devices that I have heard about, but don't know much about them. These devices are cheaper to buy but require an annual subscription. They do look pretty good, however, and have some really nice features on them that a traditional EPIRB does not have.
Here is a link to finding out more about these
au.findmespot.com/en/
I had the same question.... cost ??
I'll ring 4 Winds Marine shortly. There are 4 models also.
Where to buy;
www.oroliamaritime.com/
I think you need to expect to pay $300-$600 for a PLB or EPIRB depending on brand, model, function, features, etc.
But you get a raft of uses.... carry it for Down Wind action, dirt bike riding, trekking, bush walking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, fishing.....
My Fast Find 211 PLB cost me between $550-$600, which is pretty expensive.
After reading more about the Spot devices I am more inclined to think that they are a better buy. Although the do have an annual subscription they have some really good features that my PLB does not have.
try whitworths stores or online, with 500 bucks you can get a real good one down to <10m accuracy, buy a cheaper one and less than <100m,
You can get the SPOT 2 messenger from Johnny Appleseed GPS for $275.
This price is only for the Spot device, not subscription plans.
Once purchased, you'll need to register and activate your device via the Official Spot Website.
The Basic plan (mandatory) includes SOS, Check-in/OK & Help/SPOT Assist features. This is a $115 US per year subscription.
You can also subscribe to the additional Tracking plan for $49.99 US per year, which allows you to send and save your location.
Check out www.ja-gps.com.au/SPOT/spot-gen-3/ for more details on these units
