An inflation device for an inflatable article comprises a housing for supporting a container of pressurized fluid and for supporting piercing means which is displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container and allow release of pressurized fluid, said container being contained within a protected casing which is secured non-releasably to the housing thereby to prevent removal of the pressurized container.

An inflatable personal floatation systems includes the manually inflated personal floatation device for aviation use including arm-strap loops, an inflation pull cord, a pack breakaway tether, and an inflation canister, a sealed pouch, an individual floatation device pack and a strap. The individual floatation device is configured to be worn in a waist belt. The individual floatation device is housed within the sealed pouch and connected to the sealed pouch via the pack breakaway tether. The inflatable personal floatation system provides a safety device for the user-wearer.

An inflatable personal floatation systems includes the manually inflated personal floatation device for aviation use including arm-strap loops, an inflation pull cord, a pack breakaway tether, and an inflation canister, a sealed pouch, an individual floatation device pack and a strap. The individual floatation device is configured to be worn in a waist belt. The individual floatation device is housed within the sealed pouch and connected to the sealed pouch via the pack breakaway tether. The inflatable personal floatation system provides a safety device for the user-wearer.

This invention discloses an inflator mechanism for rafts and life vests that performs a multitude of functions required for rescue and underwater deployment of personnel and devices. The inner cylinder in this disclosure is actuated by a plethora of inputs, manual, automatic selectable pressure sensing, or dualled hydrostatic sensors which can each be safely selected by function selection. Since the inflator uses spring discs to drive a penetrator which mechanically punctures a membrane of an inflation gas source and actuated by an electronically controlled solenoid, dissolvable elements, conductivity switches and preset check valve actuators are eliminated increasing the safety and reliability of the actuator. Electronic control further permits user enabling of inflation depth actuation and the multiple water sensors prevent failure of actuation due to splashes and humidity effects on sensors. The actuator mechanism is self cocking, indicates proper installation of gas source enables use of several gas source cylinders and is multiply reusable.

New expanding net interceptors and rescue devices are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a rescue device comprises a dense, positionable head, an extendable boom and a handle with an expansion and/or inflation trigger, wherein the positionable head comprises folded or compacted net, expandable and/or inflatable by the expansion and/or inflation trigger.

An inflation device for an inflatable article comprises a housing for supporting a container of pressurized fluid and for supporting piercing means which is displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container and allow release of pressurized fluid, said container being contained within a protected casing which is secured non-releasably to the housing thereby to prevent removal of the pressurized container.

This invention discloses an inflator mechanism for rafts and life vests that performs a multitude of functions required for rescue and underwater deployment of personnel and devices. The inner cylinder in this disclosure is actuated by a plethoria of inputs, manual, automatic selectable pressure sensing, or dualled hydrostatic sensors which can each be safely selected by function selection. Since the inflator uses spring discs to drive a penetrator which mechanically punctures a membrane of an inflation gas source and actuated by an electronically controlled solenoid, dissolvable elements, conductivity switches and preset check valve actuators are eliminated increasing the safety and reliability of the actuator. Electronic control further permits user enabling of inflation depth actuation and the multiple water sensors prevent failure of actuation due to splashes and humidity effects on sensors. The actuator mechanism is self cocking, indicates proper installation of gas source enables use of several gas source cylinders and is multiply reusable.

A personal flotation device includes a burst zipper connected to a back panel, a left panel, and a right panel of a shell of the personal flotation device. The personal flotation device further includes an inflatable bladder sewn into a seam of the shell of the personal flotation device. The seam extends through one or more of a neck panel, the left panel, and the right panel of the shell. The personal flotation device further includes strap components connected between the back panel and the left panel and the right panel. The strap components are configured to secure the left panel and the right panel to the back panel.