Emergency rescue device and method

An emergency rescue device comprising:

• a canister;
• a lid covering said canister;
• a base material placed in said canister;
• a plurality of reflective strands placed in said canister and having proximal ends secured to said base material;
• a plurality of compressed springs placed in said canister and having proximal ends connected to distal ends of said reflective strands, said springs having free distal ends;
• a lid lock for locking said lid over said canister;
• and
• an activation element for unlocking said lid lock, thereby enabling said springs to decompress and eject said strands away from said canister and said proximal ends of said reflective strands remaining attached to said base material.

A method of providing a visually perceptible rescue device connected to a user to be rescued, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an emergency rescue device comprising:
• (i) a canister;
• (ii) a lid covering said canister;
• (iii) a plurality of reflective strands mounted in said canister, said strands having proximal ends secured to said canister;
• (iv) a propellant placed in said canister adjacent said reflective strands;
• and
• (v) a base placed in said canister along an interior sidewall, separated from said propellant, and proximal ends of said reflective strands connected to said base
• (vi) an activation element communicating with said propellant;
• and
• activating the activation element causing the propellant to create an over-pressure environment inside the canister and to eject the plurality of reflective strands in a multi-directional pattern away from the canister and said proximal ends remaining attached to said canister.

A method of rescuing an avalanche victim, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an emergency rescue device attached to the victim, comprising;
• (i) a canister;
• (ii) a lid covering said canister;
• (iii) a plurality of reflective strands mounted in said canister, said strands having proximal ends secured to said canister;
• (iv) a propellant placed in said canister adjacent said reflective strands;
• and
• (v) a base placed in said canister along an interior sidewall, separated from said propellant, and proximal ends of said reflective strands connected to said base
• (vi) an activation element communicating with said propellant;
• and
• activating the activation element causing the propellant to eject the plurality of reflective strands in a multi-directional pattern away from the canister, said proximal ends remaining attached to said canister;
• observing the avalanche area and seeing at least one reflective strand thereby designating the general location of the avalanche victim;
• grasping the strand;
• and
• pulling vigorously on the strand thereby straightening the strand along a portion thereof and observing a direction of travel of the strand in order to ascertain a more precise location of the victim.