PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/07/25
Danielle Doyle
888.526.0005
danielle@siriussignal.com
Two-color handheld distress light key to HALO jumpers’ success
Sirius Signal, the world leader in marine safety distress signal innovations, announced today that its model C-1002 SOS eVDSD was recently used as a land-based locator beacon to help a group of high-altitude low opening (HALO) jumpers set a Guinness world record for nighttime skydiving. The light performed perfectly and guided the new record holders safely back to the ground in Whiteville, Tenn.
“At eight miles above the surface of the Earth in total frigid blackness, we needed to have a light flashing on the ground to safely target and guide us to land. A mistake could cost us our lives.” – Marcelo Vives, HALO jump partner.
“We were a bit surprised when approached by the skydiving team about using our light for this purpose,” said Sirius Signal CEO Anthony Covelli, “but saving lives is what our products do. In this case, the land-based signaling deployment and activation was okay as the jumpers were not near any navigable body of water.”
Currently, the Sirius Signal SOS two-color distress light is the only two-color electronic marine distress signal approved for carriage by the United States Coast Guard and Transport Canada. Sirius Signal manufactures more SOS eVDSD models worldwide than anyone else.
The jumpers dropped at 42,650 but didn’t deploy their parachutes until they were below 6,000 feet. A bright portable flashing light is what they needed to see as they descended to a safe landing zone.
“We chose the Sirius Signal light because of its unparalleled brightness and extreme conspicuity,” said HALO jumper Alejandro Montagna. “We knew the SOS light was a rescue beacon used on the water by boats, but we could find nothing as bright or recognizable in a light-emitting signal. After all, at eight miles above the surface of the Earth in total frigid blackness, we needed to have a light flashing on the ground to safely target and guide us to land. A mistake could cost us our lives.” said Marcelo Vives HALO jump partner.
Watch the highlights of the record-breaking jump, showcasing the Sirius Signal C-1002 in action, here:
Sirius Signal produces U.S. Coast Guard- and Transport Canada-approved day and nighttime distress devices with a focus on safety, technology, effectiveness, and sustainability.