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Invention
idea came in a flash
Tanya Collier/Cape Breton Post A Cape Breton resident has created a new beacon to help lead emergency vehicles to homes quickly without losing precious time searching for the proper address. Ian MacDonald, inventor of Helplite , said the idea for such an item was initiated by a letter he read in the Cape Breton Post's Letter to the Editor section. MacDonald said the writer described a situation where a family member was in need of emergency care so she called 911 emergency. The ambulance's sirens could be heard shortly after but the vehicle passed by her home three times before locating it. In the letter she asked why someone doesn't invent a beacon to help emergency vehicles find homes in desperate need of their service. MacDonald, an electronics engineering technologist at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, saw the request as an opportunity and began to create Helplite in 1997 during his spare time. His one difficulty was finding a light bright enough to travel, at least 1,000 feet in the daylight and three to five miles in darkness. "Then all I had to do was design the proper circuit , so it would flash reliably." MacDonald said there is a suction cup on the front of the case so it can be placed on any window. It's also compact and is powered by 2 AA batteries. It's also portable making it a good idea for woodsmen, hikers, campers and others who may find themselves in an emergency situation. The light can run several hours consecutively and is lightweight. Ross Jenkins, MacDonald's business partner and retired RCMP officer, said he has already contacted local emergency responders about the emergency light. "They saw it as a viable option for the safety of the population. Through my experiences, it was obvious something was needed to point out situations in rural as well as other areas," said Jenkins. MacDonald said he hopes the Helplite will
become a universal beacon. The item can be purchased at some stores for now,
but it's anticipated the aid will grow in popularity and will be sold
throughout North America.
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