I picked up one of these earlier this year. http://oceansignal.com/products/mob1/ It sells for low $200's. It'll alert all DSC-equipped boats in the area with GPS coordinates, and put a mark on the chart for boats that have AIS displayed on the Chart Plotter. If you've ever received a DSC distress call you know it gets attention.

It's smaller than most flashlights and attaches to an inflatable life vest. I also carry a waterproof DSC/GPS handheld VHF on my belt when I leave the cockpit.

I figure I'm a dead man if I go overboard unless I can get rescued, and the Admiral is good crew but she's intimidated by taking command, especially if conditions are strong. She knows how to drop sails but I need to be able to talk her through my rescue.