Why I invented FlagGuard

It is a sunny, scenic day on the lake. My husband Tim, our six children and I are enjoying a typical summer day on the boat. The kids enjoy tubing and wake surfing, while Tim mans the boat and I delight in the joy on my children’s faces as they dodge and weave their way through the water. 

Eventually, like clockwork, Tim whips my daughter Caitlin, who is 20 at the time, off the tube and into the water. Tim goes to retrieve Caitlin, who is always well prepared with her life jacket in tow. But, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a personal watercraft (PWC) rushing in the direction of Caitlin. The operator doesn’t see her. My heart sinks. 

Caitlin is fifty feet away. We are not going to make it in time. I yank my husband up, and we yell. We scream at Caitlin to raise her arms and make herself seen, as my husband, children and I do the same. The PWC continues in the direction of Caitlin. With no indication that he sees her bobbing in the water, we panic. Bellowing in the direction of the PWC operator doesn’t appear to be working. My heart sinks deeper into my throat. We are just yards from Caitlin at this point, but I have never felt so far away. 

Then, as though all the prayers I have ever made are being answered, the PWC operator swerves around Caitlin, avoiding her at the last second. 

Talk about relief. But I knew there was something that had to be done. That’s when I was inspired to invent a product that keeps people visible to other boaters and PWC operators on the water. I saw a problem, and as a mother of six, I know it’s a problem that needs to be fixed. No parent or family should have to experience half of what we experienced that day, and my heart goes out to any parent that did not get to embrace their child after a day of what was supposed to be fun on the water.