GB2452234A

GB2452234A - Emergency signalling apparatus to attract the attention of an onlooker comprising a sheet of flexible material

Info

Publication number: GB2452234A
Application number: GB0703633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-23
Filing date: 2007-02-23
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Also published as: GB0703633D0

Abstract

An emergency signalling apparatus 10 to attract the attention of an onlooker comprising a sheet 12 of flexible material having an area greater than 1m2 and a mass per unit area of less than 120gsm. Preferably, the apparatus 10 has a ratio of length to width of at least 2:1 and maybe folded several times with folds A perpendicular to the length. On an attention attracting surface 20, which may be coloured, fluorescent or reflective, the apparatus 10 may display a distress message 30, e.g. "HELP", in large letters. On the reverse side, the apparatus 10 may be camouflaged. The apparatus 10 may include a hollow container (80 fig.6) to be filled with a substance having mass so that the apparatus 10 may be thrown for deployment.

Description

I

EMERGENCY SIGNALLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an emergency signalling apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material.

Background

Outdoor activities in sparsely-populated areas have been popular for many years. Such outdoor activities include skiing, walking, cycling, mountaineering and camping. The majority of trips to sparsely-populated areas happen without emergency incident. However, in a minority of cases, a person enjoying an activity in a sparsely-populated area may encounter an incident such as a personal injury or a change in weather conditions that will result in him or her requiring assistance or rescue.

Flares and flare guns have been developed in order to circumvent the above problem by allowing a user to generate a bright light or a smoke signal either on the ground or in the air overhead. A problem with flares and flare guns is that they only emit smoke or light for a limited period of time. This requires the person using the flare or flare gun to be aware of a search party being in the vicinity before activating the flare. Further, if the person attempting to attract attention uses up their flare or flare gun prematurely, when no search party is in the vicinity, then the person has no means for attracting a search party when one does come by.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material having: an area greater than 1 metre square; a mass per unit area less than 120 grams per square metre (gsm); and an attention 588397v1 attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker, the attention attracting surface displaying a distress message.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material having: a ratio of a length to a width of at least 2 to 1; an area greater than 1 metre square; a mass per unit area less than 120 gsm; and an attention attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker, wherein the sheet of flexible material is folded a plurality of times with folds perpendicular to the length.

A person is relatively small in comparison to the landscape of a sparsely-populated area such as mountainous terrain. Typically, a clothed person is approximately 2 m tall and an average of 50 cm wide when viewed from the front or back. Accordingly, a clothed person has a viewed surface area of approximately I square metre. In comparison to a mountain, field, or even a tree, this area is very small. An embodiment of the emergency signalling apparatus has a flexible sheet 10 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. Such a sheet presents a far greater viewable surface area than a clothed person. A larger visible surface area means that the signal can be seen more clearly at a given distance when compared to a clothed person. Further, because the signal has a larger surface area than a clothed person, the signal can be seen from a greater distance.

The size and weight of emergency signalling apparatus should ideally be kept to a minimum in order to encourage users to carry it. By providing emergency signalling apparatus that includes a flexible sheet with a mass per unit area as defined above, embodiments of the invention minimise their size and weight.

There are strict controls on what can be carried in luggage on most commercial airlines. Typically, equipment such as flares and flare guns would not be allowed on a commercial airline, or at least strict controls would be put 588397v1 in place requiring time and effort to comply with. An emergency signalling apparatus embodying the present invention may be carried on commercial airlines.

Where the emergency signalling apparatus is provided with an attention attracting surface and a camouflaged surface, the emergency signalling apparatus may be used in a non-emergency situation as a blanket, picnic blanket, rain cover etc without unnecessarily signalling an emergency.

The camouflaged surface may display a camouflage pattern. The camouflage pattern may be any conventional camouflage pattern, including but not limited to pixelated camouflage patterns, also known as digital camouflage. The camouflage pattern may be a tartan pattern.

The emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass receiving apparatus.

The mass receiving apparatus is arranged to receive a substance having mass so as to aid deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus.

However, when packed and the emergency signalling apparatus is being carried, the mass receiving apparatus is empty and so reduces the weight of the packed emergency signalling apparatus. When a user encounters an emergency situation and needs to deploy the emergency signalling apparatus, the user can add a locally available substance having mass to the mass receiving apparatus. Such a locally available substance having mass may be soil, stones, rocks, snow, ice, water, etc. Embodiments of the present invention thus provide a large and lightweight emergency signalling apparatus which can be used to identify the position of a user in need of assistance and to indicate to an onlooker that assistance is required. In embodiments, an emergency signalling apparatus having a mass receiving apparatus is provided which can be deployed by a user one-handed in the event that the user is partially incapacitated.

588397v1 The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a ratio of a length to a width of at least 3 to 1. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a ratio of a length to a width of at least 4 to 1. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a ratio of a length to a width of at least 5 to 1. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a ratio of a length to a width of at least 6 to 1.

The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area greater than 20 gsm. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area greater than 35 gsm. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area less than 100 gsm. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area less than 80 gsm. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area less than 60 gsm. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have a mass per unit area less than 50 gsm.

The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have an area greater than 2 square metres. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have an area greater than 5 square metres. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have an area greater than 10 square metres. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have an area greater than square metres.

The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have at least one further fold parallel to the length. This may be made after said folds perpendicular to the length. Alternatively, the sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may have no folds parallel to the length. Alternatively still, the sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may be folded once along its length and then rolled up. The sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus may be folded such that the folded sheet has an inside surface and 588397v1 an outside surface, wherein the attention attracting surface is the inside surface.

The attention attracting surface may be coloured to attract attention. It may comprise parts that are coloured to attract attention. The attention attracting surface may be fluorescent or may comprise parts that are fluorescent. The attention attracting surface may be reflective. It may comprise parts that are reflective. The reflective elements may be retroreflective such that incident light is reflected back in the direction it came from substantially regardless of the angle of incidence. The attention attracting surface may further display a distress message.

The emergency signalling apparatus may have information displayed thereon at a relatively small size in comparison to the distress message and/or a relatively low contrast with the attention attracting surface. In this way the information may be visible at close proximity, but from a greater distance only the distress message may be visible.

The emergency signalling apparatus may also have a camouflaged surface.

The camouflage may be arranged to go unnoticed against a background. The camouflaged surface may have information displayed thereon at a relatively small size in comparison to the size of the camouflaged surface and/or a relatively low contrast with the camouflaged surface. In this way the information may be visible at close proximity, but from a greater distance the information may go unnoticed.

The camouflaged surface may display an additional message that is not a distress message and that is visible by an onlooker. Such an additional message may be a corporate logo.

The emergency signalling apparatus may have a plurality of holes proximal to the edges of the emergency signalling apparatus.

588397v1 According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an emergency signalling apparatus comprising: a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material having an attention attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker; and a mass receiving apparatus arranged to receive and contain a substance having mass.

The sheet of flexible material may be arranged as described above.

The mass receiving apparatus may be on the sheet. The mass receiving apparatus may be a pocket on the sheet. The mass receiving apparatus may be remote from the sheet, but joined thereto. The mass receiving apparatus may be joined to the sheet by an elongate flexible member.

The mass receiving apparatus may comprise a pouch. The pouch may be closeable by ctosing means. The closing means may include a drawstring.

The mass receiving apparatus may comprise a hollow container with a detachable and attachable lid. The mass receiving apparatus may comprise a hollow container that can be separated into two pieces and recombined. The mass receiving apparatus may comprise a hollow sphere that can be separated into two pieces and recombined. The mass receiving apparatus may comprise two pieces that can be screwed together. The mass receiving apparatus may comprise two hemispheres with a thread at the edge of each hemisphere such that the two hemispheres can be screwed together.

The mass receiving apparatus may realeasably contain a substance. The mass receiving apparatus may have a realeasably attached lid. The mass receiving apparatus may have a realeasably attached opening. The mass receiving apparatus may comprise 2 or more releasably attached portions.

The mass receiving apparatus may comprise 2 or more releasably attached sections. The releasably attached portions or sections may have threaded portions aitowing them to screw together. The releasably attached portions or 588397v1 sections may be held together by friction. The releasably attached portions or sections may have a friction fit with each other. The releasably attached portions or sections may have a releasable engaging means allowing them to be locked together and released.

The mass receiving apparatus, when containing a substance having mass, may be suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus. In alternative embodiments, other deployment means may be used. For example, a catapault may be used to deploy the emergency signalling apparatus.

The mass receiving apparatus, when containing a substance having mass, may be suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus by way of throwing the mass receiving apparatus and the mass contained therein.

The arrangement may be such that it causes the sheet to unfold and to display the distress message.

The mass receiving apparatus, when containing a substance having mass may be suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus by way of holding the elongate flexible member and whirling the mass receiving apparatus containing a substance having mass, and then releasing the elongate flexible member.

The emergency signalling apparatus may be stored and carried in a waterproof bag. Alternatively, the emergency signalling apparatus may be stored and carried in a cylindrical container.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of deploying an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material, the method comprising: holding a portion of an elongate flexible member connected between a mass receiving apparatus containing a mass 588397v1 and the sheet, whirling the mass receiving apparatus and the mass contained therein, and then releasing the elongate flexible member.

The method may further comprise first securing an end of the sheet to an object.

Optional features of each of the aspects may also be optional features of each other of the aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. I shows the attention attracting surface of an emergency signalling apparatus; FIG. 2 shows the emergency signalling apparatus of FIG. I folded along line A-A of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an emergency signalling apparatus folded along line B-B of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 shows an emergency signalling apparatus folded along line C-C of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an emergency signalling apparatus folded according to FIG. 4; and FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a mass receiving apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows an emergency signalling apparatus 10. The emergency signalling apparatus 10 comprises a sheet 12 of flexible material. The sheet 12 has an attention attracting surface 20. In the embodiment shown, the sheet 12 is 1.5 m wide and 10 m long. The weight of the flexible material of 588397v1 sheet 12 is around 40 grams per square metre (gsm). The flexible material is lightweight, tear-resistant, waterproof and breathable. In this embodiment the flexible material is Tyvek�. Tyvek� is manufactured by DuPontTM, and is made from spun fibres of high-density polyethylene that are laid on a web of a moving bed before being bonded together by heat and pressure. Accordingly, the polyethylene fibres in Tyvek� are randomly distributed and non-directional.

Tyvek� is substantially tear-resistant. The contents of "DuPontTM Tyvek� Users Manual" are incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, any material that exhibits at least one of these properties may be used.

The attention attracting surface 20 displays a distress message 30. In this embodiment, the distress message "HELP" is shown. In alternative embodiments, any distress message in any language may be shown on the attention attracting surface 20.

The attention attracting surface 20 also has several retroreflective elements distributed around the edge of the attention attracting surface 20. Each retroreflective element 40 reflects light back in the direction from which it came largely regardless of the angle of incidence. Also distributed around the edge of the attention attracting surface 20 are several holes 50 through the sheet 12.

FIG. 2 shows the sheet 12 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 folded in half about line A-A of FIG. 1. When folded as shown in FIG. 2, the emergency signalling apparatus 10 has an inside surface and an outside surface, each formed of two halves joined at the fold. The two halves of the inside surface face each other and are concealed. Each half of the outside surface face away from each other and are exposed, forming an outside surface of the apparatus 10. One half of the outside surface is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the outside surface of the folded emergency signalling apparatus 10 does not include a distress message. The outside surface shown in FIG. 2 is a camouflaged surface 60. In this embodiment, the 588397v1 camouflage is a conventional camouflage pattern but may be, for example, a tartan pattern. When folded as shown in FIG. 2, pairs of holes 51, 52, 53 and 54 line-up so as to present throughholes through the folded package.

In this embodiment the distress message printed on the attention attracting surface has fluorescent yellow letters on an orange background. A similar printing technique can be used to cover the camouflaged surface 60 with any desired pattern.

FIG. 3 shows the emergency signalling apparatus 10 folded in half again about line B-B as shown in FIG. 2. Again, pairs of holes line-up in order to present through holes at each corner of the folded sheet 12. In this case, pairs of paired holes 53 combine and each pair of holes 51 combines with a pair of holes 52. In this arrangement, the attention attracting surface 20 is concealed.

FIG. 4 shows the emergency signalling apparatus 10 folded again about line C-C of FIG. 3. When prepared for deployment, the emergency signalling apparatus 10 is folded Iengthways as described above. Each of folds A, B and C are made substantially perpendicular to the length of the emergency signalling apparatus 10.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 folded according to FIG. 4. The short edges 71 and 72, attention attracting surface 20 and the camouflaged surface 60 shown in FIG. 1 are also visible in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the emergency signalling apparatus 10 arranged with the attention attracting surface 20 concealed. Concealment of the attention attracting surface 20 serves to avoid unnecessarily attracting the attention of onlookers in a non-emergency situation. This also protects the attention attracting surface 20 from being obscured by dirt.

588397v1 The sheet 12 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 having been folded three times. When prepared for deployment, the sheet 12 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 may be folded with further folds perpendicular to its length in order for the emergency signalling apparatus to be of a suitable size for fitting into a suitable carrying container.

Finally, folds may be made in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the sheet of the emergency signalling apparatus in order to reduce the size further so that the emergency signalling apparatus may be placed into a suitable carrying container.

The emergency signalling apparatus 10 has a mass receiving apparatus 80 in the form of a hollow sphere. This is shown in FIG. 6. The hollow sphere is formed of two hemispheres which can be screwed together. As will become apparent, the hollow sphere is used to aid deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus 10. One of the hemispheres has a cord 90 attached thereto. The cord 90 used is a 5 mm nylon rope. The rope is attached to the hemisphere by passing it through a hole in the hemisphere and a suitable sized washer and then knotting the cord 90 on the concave side of the hole.

The washer sits between the concave surface of the hemisphere and the knot so as to reinforce the hole in the hemisphere. At its other end, the cord 90 is attached to the emergency signalling apparatus by tying a loop into the cord through one of the holes 50 in the edge 72 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10. The cord is looped through a corner hole 51 and tied to secure it to the sheet 12. In an alternative embodiment, the cord 90 is tied elsewhere. For example it may be looped through a hole 54 at the centre of the short edge 72 of the flexible sheet 12 before being tied to secure it to the sheet 12.

A suitable carrying container would be a tube or a bag. When packed, the mass receiving apparatus 80 is empty.

588397v1 Deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus 10, in an emergency situation, will now be described. The emergency signalling apparatus 10 is removed from its container. Any folds made in the sheet 12 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 in a direction parallel to its length are removed by manually unfolding. The emergency signalling apparatus 10 will then be in the form of the sheet 12 of flexible material with several folds in a direction perpendicular to its length, with the mass receiving apparatus 80 attached thereto. One end of the sheet 12 is secured relative to the surrounding environment. The end secured is adjacent to a short edge of the outermost surface of the folded apparatus. This is edge 71 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. For example, this securing may comprise tying one end of a length of cord to a heavy object and through one of the holes along the edge 71 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 at the other end. Alternatively, the securing may comprise driving a peg through one of the holes near the edge 71 and into the ground. The securing may comprise the user or a fellow user holding the edge. Securing the edge may comprise the user pinning the end to the ground using their bodyweight. The holes 50 may be used to secure the edge 7110 an object by passing a length of cord through at least one of the holes 50 and attaching the cord to the object.

The end of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 that is remote from the secured end (this other end is adjacent to edge 72 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5) has the mass receiving apparatus 80 attached thereto by means of the length of cord 90. As described herein above, in this embodiment, the mass receiving apparatus 80 is a hollow sphere which can be unscrewed into two hemispheres. A substance, preferably a dense substance that falls easily to hand, is introduced into the mass receiving apparatus 80. The mass receiving apparatus 80 is then closed, thus securing the dense substance in the mass receiving apparatus 80. For example, the hemispheres could be filled with small stones. The cord 90 attaching the hollow sphere to the sheet 12 is held part-way between the hollow sphere and the sheet 12, at a distance suitable for swinging the hollow sphere in a circular motion. The user deploying the 588397v1 emergency signalling apparatus 10 swings the hollow sphere in a circular motion whilst grasping the cord 90. The user releases the cord 90 when the hollow sphere is travelling with a velocity that has a direction appropriate to pull the free edge 72 of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 away from the secured edge 71. This unfolds the plurality of folds made in the direction perpendicular to the length of the emergency signalling apparatus 10, and so exposes the full length of the attention attracting surface 20.

Should the user fail to deploy the emergency signalling apparatus properly at any attempt, he can drag in the sheet 12 from the secured end until he reaches the mass receiving apparatus upon which he can make another attempt to deploy the sheet 12. The sheet 12 does not need to be refolded prior to redeployment.

The emergency signalling apparatus 10 can be used to attract attention in both sparsely populated areas and moderately populated areas. Examples of a moderately populated areas are parks and at the side of a road, where there are regularly passers by. In a moderately populated area it can be difficult for a person in need of assistance to attract attention. For example, in the case of a vehicle break down, a user may wish to deploy the emergency signalling apparatus at the side of the road to attract attention.

As described above, the emergency signalling apparatus 10 can be deployed in an emergency situation to attract attention. The emergency signalling apparatus 10 can also be used in a non-emergency situation. In a non-emergency situation, the attention attracting surface 20 is concealed by folding the emergency signalling apparatus 10. Alternatively, if the full length of the emergency signalling apparatus 10 is required, then the attention attracting surface 20 is arranged face-down to conceal the attention attracting surface 20 from the attention of any onlooker.

588397v1 In a non-emergency situation the holes 50 can be used to secure the emergency signalling apparatus 10 so as to use it as a shelter. The sheet 12 can be used as the outer skin of a bivouac. The sheet 12 can be draped over a structure. Alternatively, the sheet 12 may be suspended to form the roof of a shelter by tying portions of the holes 50 to a tree, for example.

Further, in a non-emergency situation, the emergency signalling apparatus 10 can be used to cover a portion of ground for at least one person to sit or lie on. Such use may be appropriate where a user is not in need of assistance but is in need of a rest. Further, such use may be appropriate for a picnic.

In an alternative embodiment, to improve resistance to tearing, a hem is applied to the sheet 12 by sewing, gluing or heat bonding.

Graphics may be applied to the sheet 12 by way of several known printing processes. Printing can be performed resulting in a very durable image.

In another alternative embodiment, survival information such as instructions for performing certain tasks such as starting a fire may be incorporated into the pattern printed on the flexible sheet 12 on either the attention attracting surface 20 or the camouflaged surface 60. Such survival information is printed in relatively small text size and at relatively low contrast between the text and the local background colour. Such survival information takes the form of text and/or images. The survival information may comprise basic advice to assist a person encountering an emergency situation. As the survival information is printed having a low contrast to the local background, the survival information can be superimposed over the distress message 30 printed on the attention attracting surface 20 without rendering the distress message 30 less visible.

In a further alternative embodiment, the emergency signalling apparatus 10 may be part of an emergency kit. Such an emergency kit includes any 588397v1 emergency signalling apparatus as described above and an additional means of attracting attention in the form of at least one of a whistle and a reflective surface. The reflective surface may be a mirror. The additional means of attracting attention may be used in an emergency situation to increase the likelihood of an onlooker looking in the direction of the attention attracting surface 20. When the emergency signalling apparatus 10 is packed, the additional means for attracting attention may be contained in the mass receiving apparatus 80.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

588397v1

Claims

1. Emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material comprising: an area greater than 1 metre square; a mass per unit area less than 120 grams per square metre (gsm); and an attention attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker, the attention attracting surface displaying a distress message.

2. Emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material comprising: a ratio of length to width of at least 2 to 1; an area greater than 1 metre square; a mass per unit area less than 120 gsm; and an attention attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker, wherein the sheet of flexible material is folded a plurality of times with folds substantially perpendicular to the length.

3. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim I or 2, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a ratio of length to width of at least 4 to 1.

4. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim I or 2, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a ratio of length to width of at least 6 to 1.

5. Emergency signalling apparatus of any of claims I to 4, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a mass per unit area less than 80 gsm.

6. Emergency signalling apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a mass per unit area less than 50 gsm.

7. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the sheet of flexible material has at least one 588397v1 further fold substantially parallel to the length, the fold substantially parallel to the length made after said folds substantially perpendicular to the length.

8. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 7 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the sheet is folded such that the attention attracting surface of the folded sheet is an inside surface that is substantially hidden from view and the other surface of the sheet is an outside surface at least part of which is exposed, wherein the attention attracting surface is the inside surface.

9. Emergency signalling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the attention attracting surface is coloured to attract attention.

10. Emergency signalling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the attention attracting surface is fluorescent, reflective or retroreflective.

11. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the attention attracting surface displays a distress message.

12. Emergency signalling apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the other surface of the sheet of flexible material is arranged not to attract attention.

13. Emergency signalling apparatus of claims 8 to 11, wherein the other surface is arranged not to attract attention.

14. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the other surface is camouflaged.

588397v1

15. Emergency signalling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of flexible material further comprises a plurality of holes proximal to at least one edge of the sheet of flexible material.

16. Emergency signalling apparatus comprising: a sheet of flexible material having an attention attracting surface arranged to attract the attention of an onlooker; and a mass receiving apparatus joined to the sheet, the mass receiving apparatus arranged to receive and contain a substance having mass.

17. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sheet of flexible material is arranged according to any one of claims I to 15.

18. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein the mass receiving apparatus is joined to the sheet of flexible material by an elongate flexible member.

19. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the mass receiving apparatus is a hollow container, one part of which is releasably attached to another.

20. Emergency signalling apparatus of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the mass receiving apparatus, when containing a substance having mass, is suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus.

21. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 20, wherein the mass is suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling apparatus by way of throwing the mass receiving apparatus containing a substance having mass away from the reminder of the apparatus.

22. Emergency signalling apparatus of claim 20, wherein the mass receiving apparatus is suitable for deployment of the emergency signalling 588397v1 apparatus by way of holding the elongate flexible member, whirling the mass receiving apparatus containing a substance having mass, and then releasing the elongate flexible member.

23. A method of deploying an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material and a mass receiving apparatus joined thereto, the method comprising throwing the mass receiving apparatus containing a substance having mass away from the reminder of the apparatus.

24. A method of deploying an emergency signalling apparatus comprising a mass receiving apparatus connected to a sheet of flexible material by an elongate flexible member, the method comprising: holding a portion of an elongate flexible member; whirling the mass receiving apparatus and a mass contained therein; and then releasing the elongate flexible member.

588397v1