1) You. I am an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard certified in First Aid and CPR. This product would benefit me and others with it's ability to reach drowning victims in the ocean more efficiently and effectively. This will lead to less drownings in the future as reaction time to reaching a drowning victim will increase.
2) What are you offering to customers? The lifeguarding drone is a remote control operated drone with a deployable flotation device to be used by lifeguards during rescues. The drone will also feature a tow rope that can help to pull people into shore with the use of the deployable flotation device as well as have cameras that are able to see the victim in the water as well as look out for sharks and other sea life. 3) Who are you offering it to? The lifeguarding drone appeals to beach-goers or people who have friends or family who are beach-goers. The introduction of the lifeguarding drone will help to reduce the number of drownings in the U.S. per year.
4) Why do they care? The consumer for the lifeguarding drone is very broad as a majority of people have either swam in the ocean or have friends or family who commonly swim in the ocean. It's purpose is to aid with the practice of preventative lifesaving.
5) What are your core competencies? I would be introducing the first full-time use of the lifeguarding drone in the US. The lifeguarding drone has been used in other countries like Spain and Chile. These countries have seen a significant reduction in the number of drownings since introducing the use of a lifeguarding drone in addition to lifeguards during rescues. I would need to focus on using equipment and parts for the drone that would be durable and able to withstand the high concentration of salt and sand while at the beach.
I believe the implementation of a lifeguarding drone to Florida's beaches can significantly help to reduce the number of drownings. The drone could also serve to warn swimmers of sharks to prevent shark attacks. I believe the hardest part of implementing lifeguarding drones is their immense cost; however, the government should help to fund these lifesaving devices. One flaw that the device possesses is dealing with the climate that it lives in. The salty water and air can very quickly lead to rust and other equipment malfunctions.
Feedback Memo:
1) Durability of product to withstand salt, wind, and sand at the beach. I specified this more clearly in the core competencies section.
2) I am looking to reduce the number of drownings on public beaches.
3) Helps make beach goers feel safer knowing a device is quickly ready to respond in an emergency faster than a human could.
4) Pricing issues may arise depending on what materials are used.
5) Overall, customers seem to be in favor of implementing the lifeguarding drones in ocean rescue scenarios.
Greg, I love the idea. I think having some type of technology to assist life guards, especially at the beach would be highly beneficial. Like you mentioned, the cost would be very expensive so I am curious as to how you would fund that project?
ReplyDeletecheck out my post at
http://anicentrepreneur.blogspot.com/2016/03/idea-napkin-no2.html
Very interesting idea! I would think that a lot of people would be all about this product! I myself, am a competent swimmer so I wouldn't find much use for it, but for some of my friends who surf and what not, I feel that they would love something like this. And especially being in Florida, with some of our beaches having sharks, the cameras on this drown would be really helpful! In terms of cost, do you have a ball park figure on how much one of these would cost? I feel like that might be a stumbling block in the future! If you want to check out what I did, my blog link is here: http://slollis93.blogspot.ie/2016/03/week-9-napkin-idea-2.html
ReplyDeleteOverall great idea! I hope you're able to work out the cost of this drone because I think that it could be very useful! :)
Greg, your idea is phenomenal! I am a life guard as well, and so is my brother. We have saved people before and it has been a scary yet satisfying feeling when the person turns out all right. This drone would definitely help out life guards and more especially the Coast Guard in the large, deep oceans they have to protect over. Pricing would definitely be an issue, and this would most likely be sold to private pool areas, springs, lifeguard companies, etc. I wish you the best and hope you have the chance to check out my blog: http://kmglickman.blogspot.com/2016/03/idea-napkin-no-2.html
ReplyDeleteYou have an excellent idea Greg. I am surprised that someone hasn't came out with this offer for lifeguards yet in the U.S. I see a lifeguard drone being more effective to help save those who drown and warm people of potential sharks in the area, rather than having to watch from the beach. This may very well be something that we see coming in the near future. It's definitely great that this product will be offered to beach go-ers as well. But the one thing that I'm curious about is what will make this drone stand apart from other drones that are out on the market, to make the average beach goer want to purchase it?
ReplyDeleteI forgot to include, I do not have a link to share because I missed the deadline for this assignment. Great post though!
DeleteHow are you going to make this product? I am a lifeguard so I see how useful this could be. Are you going to put all your efforts into this? It will definitely help people feel safer. You need to convince the government it's an important cause. What materials will you use? Here is mine: http://entreprenuershipisamindset.blogspot.com/2016/03/idea-napkin-no-2.html?m=1
ReplyDelete