About Scot and his inspiration for the Parachute Skimmer™
For more about his journey, check out the story on Growing Bolder!
Thank you for visiting. I am the inventor of the Parachute Skimmer™. I like to call it the `push broom’ for the water. I originally designed it to clean my pool faster than a traditional, pole based, skimmer. It used to take me forever to skim my pool. The tedious and inefficient work made me think, ‘there has to be a better way to do this.’ The device opens up in the water like a parachute, the top part floats and the bottom part sinks, a screen material in the middle captures leaves and floating debris as it is pulled through the water. It is very easy to use, cleans at least 3 times faster than a traditional, skimmer net and requires no heavy pole. As I was developing the Parachute Skimmer™, I realized it could be used for other more industrial applications as well including: commercial pools; water parks; ponds and canals; algae harvesting for Bio Fuel; and other agricultural applications.
Caysee Anthony Case: One day in early August of 2008, I discovered another use. While watching the news, I was moved by the story about the search in Orlando for little Caylee Anthony, a missing toddler. I realized that the Parachute Skimmer™ could help in the search by weighing it down to skim the bottom of the murky water where teams were searching. I wanted to help so I donated the device to several search teams. Black Water Divers, the dive team hired by Bounty Hunter, Leonard Padilla, used the Parachute Skimmer™ to search. In November, after they found what they thought was evidence, the lead diver discussed my invention on CNN’s Nancy Grace show. Since that time, I have offered and donated the device to several Sheriff’s departments and it has been used to search in other cases. To see the segment about the Parachute Skimmer™ shown on Nancy Grace’s show click here.
Gulf Oil Spill: I developed another use after the BP Gulf oil spill in 2010. Once again, while watching the news, I was disturbed at seeing all the damage the oil spill was causing to the wildlife, marshes and coastlines. I knew I needed to try and help so; I further adapted the device to help pick up oil. After making several prototypes, I drove to the effected areas numerous times and discussed and demonstrated the Parachute Skimmer™ with a number of different work crews. Finally, after a long, comprehensive, review by the Alternative Response Technology, joint operations team, the Parachute Skimmer™ is now recommended for use by the US Coast Guard for oil spills. The Florida EPA has also approved it for use. It was pictured in USA Today and you can read an article about us that was in the oil industry’s Pipeline Magazine.
Thank you: I am far from calling this a huge success. I have learned that getting new products out to consumers and ‘on the shelf’ of retailers is difficult. I am determined though because as sales volume grows I want to continue to manufacture the Parachute Skimmer™ in the United States to create jobs and help our economy. Even though it has been challenging at times, so far my journey has been amazing! I could not have done any of it without the inspiration and support of many people. First and foremost my parents, my father is my hero. He was a scientist and an inventor himself, and like so many of his generation, he sacrificed and left this world a much better place for having been here. He spent extensive time on both pole’s and his dedication to our country culminated in an area in Antarctica called the Weiss Ampitheater being named for him. My mother’s strength and unbelievable work ethic gives me the inspiration to keep moving forward. Knowing my brother’s; Jeff, a business executive and Kurt, owner of Coastal Computer Systems, are there for me is like having a safety net as I leap off a cliff in pursuit of my dreams.
There are many others too: My Uncle Joel, a successful business leader and an author of two business books, has been my mentor, offering invaluable advice and counsel. My teammates and good friends, Rowdy Gaines, Marc Middleton, and Keith Switzer who helped teach me about goal setting, focus and teamwork. People like Dr. Lucky Meisenheimer, who taught me to keep my youthful perspective, and that thinking ‘out of the box’ is a unique quality. David Sanna, who believed in me enough to drive with me on one of my trips to the Panhandle. Duffy Dillon, a lifelong friend, Head Coach and owner of Fort Lauderdale Aquatics, who by example, taught me to, ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’ which is also his team’s motto. Brodie Hynes, one of the most generous people I know, graciously and patiently helped with this website. I could go on and on, my teachers, my professors, Rich Little, an oil industry veteran who housed me on my first trip to Louisiana because he wanted to help. Although I cannot name everyone, whether you know it or not, if I met you, even casually, please know that in some way you inspired me or taught me something.
Philosophy: I believe we all have a purpose in life. I believe we are meant to pursue our dreams. Not only are we supposed to, I believe we have an obligation to, in order to share our gifts in order to make the world a better place for having been. I won’t even consider not succeeding. I won’t let that happen. I ask people all the time what they would do if they won the lottery. Many answer with something different than what they are currently doing. So I counter with, ’why aren’t you pursuing your dream?’ Life is too short. Go for it! Many think I am a little bit crazy for taking the risks I have taken. That doesn’t matter though, because I believe in what I am doing. When someone says, ‘that’s a really good idea’ that makes all the rejection, all the effort, worth it. It keeps me going. I want people to know it isn’t crazy to pursue your dreams, it is scary though. It is like stepping off a cliff with your eyes closed and not knowing how far down you may fall. But that is okay the thermals just might make you soar! Go Ahead Jump!
For more information send us an email at info@parachuteskimmer.com
The Parachute Skimmer™ is not to be used as a human lifesaving device. Competent supervision is required at all times. This product is not a toy. Never leave children unattended with this device. U.S. Patent No. 7,972,504 B2
