rescue baloons

Anyone know where you can buy these rescue balloons as an alternative to flares? They can be inflated in event of emergency as a locating device. With flares, you can drift away from the point of detonation and the flare burns out after a period. On the other hand, the balloon stays with the user over time and drift. So these seem like a great plan, especially if constructed from reflective material. I just wonder how these balloons are effected strong wind though - pointless if they slump onto the water.

Divers carry something similar

www.scubadiving.com/gear/accessories/lost-and-found-sea

Not much range but everything helps

I use something similar to this. It's a divers " safety sausage" that is about 150mm diameter and about 1.5 m long and it rolls up to about 100mm by about 40mm and it fits into one of my PFD pockets well. Cost about $15 so low cost investment. When you need it you unroll it and let it fill with air before scrunching up the bottom to create the sausage. It's not perfect but it is a good alternate safety or signalling option