In one aspect, there is provided a fabric containing gas therein, the fabric comprising a weave between warps and wefts, wherein each warp includes an elongate array of a plurality of individual gas cells, wherein neighboring gas cells are physically coupled to each other via a connection, wherein the connection is monolithic with the gas cells, and each cell contains the gas therein.

Disclosed is an apparatus that is able to generate an image to deter a shark from attacking a watercraft (e.g. a surf-craft). Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing and retrofitting watercraft to include the apparatus that is able to generate an image to deter a shark from attacking the watercraft.

Disclosed is an apparatus that is able to generate an image to deter a shark from attacking a watercraft (e.g. a surf-craft). Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing and retrofitting watercraft to include the apparatus that is able to generate an image to deter a shark from attacking the watercraft.

Swimsuits are provided which include an outer shell made of a flexible stretchable fabric, a thoracic reinforced region arranged in an anterior thoracic region of a trunk portion of the swimsuit and having an anterior-downward converging shape, and an abdominal reinforced region arranged in a lower abdominal and hip region of the trunk portion and having an anterior-upward converging shape, two non-reinforced waist regions arranged in opposite lateral waist regions of the trunk portion and having both a medially converging shape, wherein the thoracic reinforced region, the abdominal reinforced region and the non-reinforced regions border in an X pattern in an anterior region of the trunk portion. Methods of making such swimsuits are also provided.

Disclosed are ultra-low thermal conductivity fabrics, methods for preparing them and methods of using them, in particular as diving suit materials for enhanced persistence in cold-water dives.

Disclosed are ultra-low thermal conductivity fabrics, methods for preparing them and methods of using them, in particular as diving suit materials for enhanced persistence in cold-water dives.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a pop-up vest, illustratively implemented as a flotation apparel item comprising a water sport apparel item, an inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) configured in the water sport apparel item, and an inflation trigger configured to inflate the PFD. The water sport apparel item may comprise a shirt, t-shirt, wetsuit or rash guard. The water sport apparel item may be adapted to retain the PFD between an outer apparel item layer and a base apparel item layer sewn together. The inflation trigger may be a pull tab configured to inflate the PFD when desired. The inflation trigger may be a sensor configured to automatically inflate the PFD when the sensor is wet. An exemplary pop-up vest implementation may be configured with a water activated light to improve visibility. Some pop-up vest designs may comprise a whistle permitting the user to raise awareness of their location.

A waterproof seal includes a flexible annular tube formed by an inner layer and an outer layer of a garment and surrounding a passage through which a human appendage is intended to protrude. A first cord is positioned in a cavity defined by the annular tube. The first cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. A second cord is positioned in the cavity defined by the annular tube. The second cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. The first cord and the second cord cumulatively cover more than 360 degrees around the passage to provide an effective water seal.

A waterproof seal includes a flexible annular tube formed by an inner layer and an outer layer of a garment and surrounding a passage through which a human appendage is intended to protrude. A first cord is positioned in a cavity defined by the annular tube. The first cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. A second cord is positioned in the cavity defined by the annular tube. The second cord has a first end, a second end and extends more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees around the passage with the first end and the second end exiting the annular tube. The first cord and the second cord cumulatively cover more than 360 degrees around the passage to provide an effective water seal.

A flotation and insulated outerwear garment includes an outer shell portion, a flotation and insulation portion, and an inner liner portion, with the outer shell portion further including material that is at least water resistant, the flotation and insulation portion further including primary areas defined by a plurality of layers of material that provide flotation and insulation, with the plurality of layers of material that provide flotation and insulation being connected to each other by parallel lines of stitching that form channels that facilitate gravity-based drainage of moisture from between the layers, the flotation and insulation portion further including at least one secondary area defined by at least one layer of a different material that is more breathable than each of the plurality of layers of flotation and insulation material, and wherein the flotation and insulation portion and the inner liner portion are connected to the outer shell portion.