San Diego NEW PRODUCTS : Bright Idea Pays Off for TECH-X

Lost in the mountains? Stranded on a powerless boat in the middle of a stormy ocean?

Instead of cursing the darkness, why not light up an emergency signal that can be seen by rescuers more than 5 miles away, suggests Charles A. Ayash, vice president of TECH-X Enterprises.

The B-ALERT Emergency Flasher--a pocket-sized beacon that emits as much light as an airplane signal light--”will show people where you are,” Ayash said. The beacon releases 40,000 watts with each flash.

Since its introduction six months ago, the National City-based manufacturer has sold more than 1,000 beacons, primarily to police and fire departments and other emergency crews. The Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Forestry are testing the flasher that sells for $59.95. An accompanying leather case that attaches to a belt costs $12.95.

TECH-X Enterprises now plans to expand to the public, particularly the outdoor equipment marketplace.

“It has tremendous value as a safety tool,” Ayash said. “It’s so small, but it’s so powerful.”

Four AA batteries power the two-colored light--amber and red--for 15 hours. The B-ALERT Emergency Flasher, housed in heavy-duty plastic, is 4 1/2-inches long, 3-inches wide, and 1-inch deep. It weighs 8.3 ounces.

Ayash hopes civilians and outdoor types will snatch up the flashers as readily as emergency crews and police.

“I’ve been told by a lot of police departments that they spend a good amount of money annually on flares,” Ayash said. “This is a great alternative because, unlike flares, they’re reusable. Besides, there’s no flame so you don’t have to worry about igniting anything.”

Law enforcement officers are also using the B-ALERT to regulate traffic. “They can use the amber side as a cautionary light to slow traffic, and the red light to stop traffic,” Ayash said.

For sea searches, Ayash said, rescuers can drop the waterproof light into the ocean to mark areas that have already been searched.

TECH-X Enterprises, which has six employees, has production contracts with two manufacturers in San Diego and Fallbrook. The two plants can manufacture 20,000 to 40,000 beacons a month, Ayash said.

The company’s 1,600-square-foot building in National City houses its corporate headquarters and research and development facilities.