This seemed completely stupid at first glance, but now I've shifted to mostly impractical. I still like the out-of-the-box thinking.

"Rescue" balloon thingie

Cheers,

Those things have been around in some form or fashion for years. I've flown kites/balloons to mark campsites out in the desert for folks showing up later, and to hoist amateur radio antennas...car camping. I guess something like that poking out of the tree canopy would get someones attention IF you can get it through the trees and high enough, and assuming the wind doesn't kill it. Dead weight. Light a smoky fire. ;-)

I think that is a cool idea. Maybe good for a plane or car. Hopefully the balloon is alluminized. Otherwise it won't be floating for very long.

I presume it's aluminized mylar, or would be if it's ever made. That way it would be both helium"proof" and radar-reflective. I find enough balloon shreds in the mountains to know they can last a long while and travel great distances.

I've seen rolled plastic rescue streamers that can trail behind a lifeboat or across a snowfield or meadow, but they presuppose a large empty expanse to use.

Cheers,

Rick

If I can figure out a way to carry 215 of these things I could just inflate all of them an let the wind carry me to safety a la Up .

That is an awesome idea if you had space for it.