Described herein is a garment (e.g., pants, underpants, shorts, headgear, a skullcap, a glove, socks, shoes, a vest, a jacket, a shirt, an undershirt, an undergarment, or a full body suit) that can be worn by a wearer (e.g., military or civilian law enforcement personnel, an emergency first responder, or a dog) that includes inflatable bladders. When activated, the bladders of the garment inflate, thereby providing an increase in buoyancy to the wearer of the garment, e.g., while swimming.

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 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.

New water rescue devices and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rescue device comprises an inflatable net with a handle, and a switch for causing the inflation of the inflatable net. In some methods, a user positions the inflatable net underneath at least part of a person or other object prior to inflation, and the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object above the surface of a body of water, rescuing the person or object. In some embodiments, the invention is incorporated in a rescue buoy or rescue can. In some embodiments, an inflatable body other than a net also, or alternatively, is provided. For example, an expanding flotation ring or other flotation device is provided, which envelopes and holds the person or object when inflated.

New water rescue devices and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rescue device comprises an inflatable net with a handle, and a switch for causing the inflation of the inflatable net. In some methods, a user positions the inflatable net underneath at least part of a person or other object prior to inflation, and the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object above the surface of a body of water, rescuing the person or object. In some embodiments, the invention is incorporated in a rescue buoy or rescue can. In some embodiments, an inflatable body other than a net also, or alternatively, is provided. For example, an expanding flotation ring or other flotation device is provided, which envelopes and holds the person or object when inflated.

An underwater rescue system, including a submersible and a rescue cage. The submersible includes a housing, a turntable and a motor. The turntable is rotatably arranged at an outer surface of the housing. The motor is fixed on the housing and connected to the turntable. The rescue cage includes a connecting rod, a first lifebuoy, a second lifebuoy and an air charging device. A lower end of the connecting rod is provided with an electromagnetic chuck attracting the turntable. An upper end of the connecting rod is connected to the first lifebuoy. A bottom of the first lifebuoy is provided with a load-bearing net. A side of the first lifebuoy is connected to the second lifebuoy by a net bag. The air charging device communicates with the first and second lifebuoys and is configured to charge air to the first and second lifebuoys.

An underwater rescue system, including a submersible and a rescue cage. The submersible includes a housing, a turntable and a motor. The turntable is rotatably arranged at an outer surface of the housing. The motor is fixed on the housing and connected to the turntable. The rescue cage includes a connecting rod, a first lifebuoy, a second lifebuoy and an air charging device. A lower end of the connecting rod is provided with an electromagnetic chuck attracting the turntable. An upper end of the connecting rod is connected to the first lifebuoy. A bottom of the first lifebuoy is provided with a load-bearing net. A side of the first lifebuoy is connected to the second lifebuoy by a net bag. The air charging device communicates with the first and second lifebuoys and is configured to charge air to the first and second lifebuoys.

A personal flotation device having a vest, an inflatable balloon, a gas cartridge, a tube, and a harness assembly. The vest comprises a first prong, a second prong opposite the first prong; and a connection member connecting the first prong to the second prong. The connection member comprises a pocket and a flap. The gas cartridge is disposed in the first prong of the vest. The tube connects the inflatable balloon to the gas cartridge. An end of the tube is directly attached to the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon is characterized by a deflated condition, stored in the pocket, and an inflated condition.

In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder, a gas-generating component configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an actuator configured to activate the gas-generating component; a sensor configured to sense one or more physiological parameters of the user; and an inflation control system configured to receive physiological parameter data from the sensor, to determine whether or not the user is experiencing a medical event that places the user at risk of drowning, and, if the user is experiencing such a medical event, to signal the actuator to activate the gas-generating component so as to provide floatation to the user.

In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder, a gas-generating component configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an actuator configured to activate the gas-generating component; a sensor configured to sense one or more physiological parameters of the user; and an inflation control system configured to receive physiological parameter data from the sensor, to determine whether or not the user is experiencing a medical event that places the user at risk of drowning, and, if the user is experiencing such a medical event, to signal the actuator to activate the gas-generating component so as to provide floatation to the user.