Well the auto pool cover isn't going to happen. I just don't have the funds for it, plus I could imagine that people would be stunning their toes all day on the rails.

What if you cut you solar cover in strips? This way you could fall between the strips and have a much better chance at being able to come up for air. How about attaching floating strips of foam legthwise along the cover so that it is less likely to "engulph" you.

Liquid blankets? Homemade solar rings?

BTW, I can't believe someone hasnt invented a safer method yet.