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Design a better PFD, win $5000

Design A Better Life Jacket And Win $5,000

Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition is Calling for
"Out-of-the-Box" Entries

Current models of life jackets save lives everyday, however, a 2004
BoatU.S Foundation study found that many boaters often don't wear them
because they are uncomfortable. So what would a life jacket look and
feel like if there were no government guidelines?

To encourage innovative ideas and new technology to design a life
jacket that the majority of boaters might wear, the BoatU.S. Foundation
for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Flotation Device
Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) are sponsoring an "Innovation in Life
Jacket Design Competition," which seeks entries that embrace new
technologies and out-of-the-box thinking to solve the age-old problem
of why certain boaters won't routinely wear life jackets.

Entries are being encouraged from armchair inventors to high school
science clubs and collegiate design programs. The winning designer will
receive a $5,000 award.

"We believe that out-of-the-box thinking may lead to the next
generation of life saving devices," said BoatU.S. Foundation President
Ruth Wood. "By opening the competition to the widest audience of
professionals and amateur tinkerers, we anticipate designs that will be
creative and unconventional."

PFDMA Executive Director Bernice McArdle said, "Today's life jackets
are well designed but follow a defined and somewhat controlled set of
guidelines. Our hope is that this competition will open up the playing
field and encourage entries that will ultimately influence greater use
of life jackets among boaters."

The competition will be judged based on four criteria: wearability,
reliability, cost and innovation. "Wearability" relates to the level of
comfort. "Reliability" will take into account the chances for potential
failure, while "cost" will look at the affordability of the design.
"Innovation" will take into account originality or the employment of
new technologies.

There are no rules regarding types of materials to be used or whether
the design meets any current U.S. Coast Guard or Underwriters
Laboratory standards. However, certain entries may be submitted to the
U.S. Coast Guard to review for possible financial assistance towards
gaining full USCG approval.

Entries do not have to include a working model or prototype, as
detailed drawings will be accepted. For more information including an
entry form and contest rules, visit
http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/lifejacketdesign You may also
contact Ruth Wood at 703-823-9550, x3204/ or Bernice
McArdle at 312-946-6280/

Entries will be accepted from March 31, 2005 to December 15, 2005, with
the winner announced at the Miami International Boat Show in February,
2006.

I really shouldn't give you guys any information on what my entries are

going to be but, ahhh, WTF...

A: An implant. Seems lots of people these days have ear-rings, nose-rings,

belly-rings, etc. etc. Also, I see on the news every day that Americans are

getting fatter and fatter. Watching the "SuperSize Me" film they show huge,

huge Americans. So I propose to put flotation foam under the skin of

boaters. We're still working out the toxicity issues, but my hope is that

it will become a fashion statement. No longer will being a "large" person

be a sign of possible shame. Instead it will be the "in" thing. Even
non-boaters

may opt to have our procedure done, maybe to make it look like they can

afford a boat, or just for the fashion of it.

Side Note: We expect "Frontal Flotation" to be a big hit.

B: An inflatable necklace. The most important function of a PFD is to

keep your head above water. With a new material we are developing

you will be able to wear a just slightly larger than normal necklace. Upon

contact with water it automatically blows up to 12 times it's size. And

since the material floats...it keeps your head above water. (For marketing

we're working on licensing the rights to the old "Good Times" TV theme

song. http://timstvshowcase.com/goodtime.html) So far there is just one

problem. As the necklace expands it puts pressure on the wind-pipe

and suffocates the victim. Oh, and one test subject got a nasty surprise

when she forgot to take it off before washing her face.

C: PDF Shoes. That's right, you heard it here first. But this is the one

we really believe will win the competition so, sorry, but I can't give you

any details.

Good Luck to All,

gary

Pretty funny. :-)

Maybe we should insist that all female boaters get a boob job so each
comes equipped with a genuine (OK, not all that genuine) Mae West.

Especially on the go fast boats, there seem to be a fair number who
have alerady done that. Perhaps what we need now is better testing to
see if their flotation is adequate. It would be an intersting project
for those looking to get some, errr, hands on experience in the
testing business.
****************

A local, male, radio personality had to read a live commercial about a
bra sale.
The big push (Ok that was bad) associated with the sale was that
professional bra fitters would be on hand to advise on appropriate
sizing. After reading the final line, where the professional bra
fitters were mentioned again, the radio personality paused a moment and
then asked, "Why do I suddenly feel like I wasted my life working as a
talk show host? That sounds like a pretty good gig!" :-)