A personal flotation device is provided that includes a housing, a canister disposed within the housing and storing a compressed gas, an inflatable member coupled to the housing, a channel within the housing, and a compressible member positioned within the channel. The channel extends from an exit point of the canister to the inflatable member such that the canister can be in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The compressible member is configured such that (i) when the personal flotation device is located less than a predetermined depth below a surface of water, the compressible member prevents the compressed gas from the canister from reaching the inflatable member, and (ii) when the personal flotation device is located greater than or equal to the predetermined depth below the surface of water, the compressible member compresses and thereby allows the compressed gas from the canister to inflate the inflatable member.

A safety, rescue, and recovery device that compressively secures to a limb of a user when inflated. The device can be easily adjusted to be negatively buoyant, neutrally buoyant, or positively buoyant before inflation depending on whether the application is safety, rescue, or recovery. The device may also be integrated into an article of clothing for certain applications. An elongated handle is attached to the device to provide a sliding attachment point for a rescue rope that automatically reduces torque applied to the limb of the user. Consequently, a rescue force applied to the rescue rope can act at a variety of angles along an arc relative to the device.

Lifesaving devices for providing flotation support to their users, and comprising a pressurized gas container, a flotation balloon and a valve for releasing the pressurized gas into the flotation balloon. The method of designing the devices comprises selecting a gas charge for the pressurized gas container, having a high molecular weight, such that, for a specific lifesaving device, the diffusion of the gas charge through the walls of the pressurized gas container are reduced, as compared with a gas charge having a lower molecular weight. The device therefore has a longer shelf life before the need to recharge the gas fill. The use of such a high molecular weight gas also reduces the diffusion of the gas charge through the walls of the flotation balloon, such that the device fulfils its purpose of supporting the user in water for a longer period of time.

Lifesaving devices for providing flotation support to their users, and comprising a pressurized gas container, a flotation balloon and a valve for releasing the pressurized gas into the flotation balloon. The method of designing the devices comprises selecting a gas charge for the pressurized gas container, having a high molecular weight, such that, for a specific lifesaving device, the diffusion of the gas charge through the walls of the pressurized gas container are reduced, as compared with a gas charge having a lower molecular weight. The device therefore has a longer shelf life before the need to recharge the gas fill. The use of such a high molecular weight gas also reduces the diffusion of the gas charge through the walls of the flotation balloon, such that the device fulfils its purpose of supporting the user in water for a longer period of time.

A safety, rescue, and recovery device that compressively secures to a limb of a user when inflated. The device can be easily adjusted to be negatively buoyant, neutrally buoyant, or positively buoyant before inflation depending on whether the application is safety, rescue, or recovery. The device may also be integrated into an article of clothing for certain applications. An elongated handle is attached to the device to provide a sliding attachment point for a rescue rope that automatically reduces torque applied to the limb of the user. Consequently, a rescue force applied to the rescue rope can act at a variety of angles along an arc relative to the device.

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.

A device for providing buoyancy comprising; a bladder capable of being inflated; a vessel containing fluid for inflating the bladder; andone or more valves for controlling the passage of fluid between the bladder and the vessel; wherein one or more of the valves are capable of being opened to permit the passage of fluid from the vessel to the bladder in response to at least one of exposure of the device to a pre-determined pressure level and detection of blood oxygen concentration below a pre-determine threshold in an individual using the device.

A device for providing buoyancy comprising; a bladder capable of being inflated; a vessel containing fluid for inflating the bladder; andone or more valves for controlling the passage of fluid between the bladder and the vessel; wherein one or more of the valves are capable of being opened to permit the passage of fluid from the vessel to the bladder in response to at least one of exposure of the device to a pre-determined pressure level and detection of blood oxygen concentration below a pre-determine threshold in an individual using the device.

A lifesaving system for a swimming pool includes a plurality of lifesaving modules. Each module includes a platform and is stowable in a standby configuration under a surface of water in the pool. The module is deployable to rise to a surface of water in the pool beneath a swimmer in distress so as to support the swimmer on the platform.

A lifesaving system for a swimming pool includes a plurality of lifesaving modules. Each module includes a platform and is stowable in a standby configuration under a surface of water in the pool. The module is deployable to rise to a surface of water in the pool beneath a swimmer in distress so as to support the swimmer on the platform.