An embodiment rotorcraft structure includes a step disposed at an exterior of the rotorcraft, and an emergency kit installed into the recess of the step. The step is faired into a skin on the exterior of the rotorcraft. The emergency kit includes a container and a life raft. The container includes a container body that has a storage cavity, a container panel, and a first attachment element. The container body is disposed in the recess of the step, attached to the step, and has a storage cavity. The container panel is disposed at a bottom of the storage cavity, and the life raft is disposed in the storage cavity. The first attachment element releasably couples a first edge of the container panel to the container body, and encloses the life raft in the container under the step.

A breakaway cover for providing emergency access to a release mechanism for a life raft on a vehicle includes a housing configured to be attached the vehicle. The housing includes a recess wherein the release mechanism may be located. The recess is protected by a cover. The cover has a first end attached the housing and a second end retained to the housing but capable of being pulled free. The cover is configured to fracture along a series of slots proximate the first end when pulled by a user.

A breakaway cover for providing emergency access to a release mechanism for a life raft on a vehicle includes a housing configured to be attached the vehicle. The housing includes a recess wherein the release mechanism may be located. The recess is protected by a cover. The cover has a first end attached the housing and a second end retained to the housing but capable of being pulled free. The cover is configured to fracture along a series of slots proximate the first end when pulled by a user.

Actuation assemblies for emergency devices (e.g., inflatable life rafts carried on-board an aircraft) are provided with enhanced (preferably multiple) levels of security to preclude inadvertent unlatching and/or deployment but also allow access to an on-board emergency device removably positioned within a device bay of the vehicle which is normally covered by an access panel. The actuation assembly may be provided with a rotatable actuation shaft, a manually operated actuation lever fixed to the actuation shaft so as to rotate the actuation shaft in response to movement of the actuation lever between stowed and deployed conditions thereof, and a safety locking system operably connected to the rotatable shaft and having a locked condition which prevents operation of the actuation lever to thereby maintain the actuation assembly in a safe mode during normal vehicle operation, and an armed mode which allows the actuation lever to be moved into the deployed condition thereof.

Actuation assemblies for emergency devices (e.g., inflatable life rafts carried on-board an aircraft) are provided with enhanced (preferably multiple) levels of security to preclude inadvertent unlatching and/or deployment but also allow access to an on-board emergency device removably positioned within a device bay of the vehicle which is normally covered by an access panel. The actuation assembly may be provided with a rotatable actuation shaft, a manually operated actuation lever fixed to the actuation shaft so as to rotate the actuation shaft in response to movement of the actuation lever between stowed and deployed conditions thereof, and a safety locking system operably connected to the rotatable shaft and having a locked condition which prevents operation of the actuation lever to thereby maintain the actuation assembly in a safe mode during normal vehicle operation, and an armed mode which allows the actuation lever to be moved into the deployed condition thereof.

Described is a release system for inflatable life saving devices, such as evacuation slides, evacuation slide/rafts, emergency floats, emergency flotation systems, and life rafts. The release system incorporates an energy storing device and a securement system that can be released upon activation. Once the release system is activated, the securement system is opened to allow deployment of the inflatable.