At North American Survival Systems, we design and manufacture high-intensity LED signal devices for one mission: saving lives. Whether you’re navigating the open sea, flying remote missions, or operating in harsh terrain, our USCG-approved electronic visual distress signals and FAA-compliant drone strobe lights are built to perform in the moments that matter most.
Founded by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jim O’Meara and engineered with over 60 years of aerospace and rescue technology expertise, our products are trusted by military units, search and rescue teams, drone operators, offshore professionals, and safety-conscious civilians nationwide.
Our signals don’t just shine bright, they’re engineered for survival.
Our founder, Jim O’Meara, is a United States Marine Corps veteran and lifelong adventurer. With tens of thousands of hours flying Alaskan bush planes and over 40 years of Search and Rescue experience, Jim has seen firsthand how critical fast, visible signaling can be in life-or-death situations.
That firsthand experience took a new turn when Jim and his wife, Deborah O’Meara, spent seven years living aboard a boat. It was there — surrounded by the realities of ocean navigation, unpredictable weather, and emergency preparedness — that the idea for a better distress signal system was born.
From concept to prototype, the goal was simple: create a signal product that’s as rugged and reliable as the people who depend on it.
The engineering team behind North American Survival Systems is led by Morton Sunshine, whose work spans over 60 years of technical leadership in aerospace, military, and SAR systems. Their collective resume includes projects that have shaped modern signal and recovery tech:
This deep legacy in mission-critical signaling technology directly informed the development of our LED-based Visual Distress Signals and Drone Strobe Lights. We knew what was needed, and we built it, using materials and methods that exceeded civilian and military standards alike.
Today, North American Survival Systems is proudly led by CEO Deborah O’Meara. The business remains rooted in its original mission: developing and delivering professional-grade search and rescue products that work when everything else fails.
We’re proud to serve:
We’ve also earned the trust of the U.S. Navy, which awarded us contracts for our high-intensity strobe systems — a testament to the reliability and innovation behind our designs.
These aren’t just words — they’re the principles behind everything we do. Whether you’re navigating open water, flying unmanned missions, or operating in unpredictable terrain, we want you to carry the confidence that comes from knowing your signal light will work, every time, in any condition.
We invite you to explore our product line, reach out with questions, and experience the difference of a company that puts real people, real missions, and real reliability first.
