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.

This application relates to flotation devices generally, and particularly to inflatable flotation devices configured for use by an infant to support the infant at least partially above the water and to at least partially retain the infant therein. In some embodiments, an apparatus is a flotation member having an inner perimeter, a top portion and a bottom portion. The flotation member has a first height between its bottom portion and its top portion at a first location of the flotation member. The flotation member has a second height between the top portion and the bottom portion at a second location of the flotation member, the second height different from the first height. The flotation member includes a support member at least partially disposed within the inner perimeter of the flotation member. The support member has a first portion coupled to the top portion of the flotation member at the first location. The support member has a second portion coupled to the top portion of the flotation member at the second location. The support member has a third portion between the first portion and the second portion, and the third portion is coupled to the bottom portion of the flotation member at a third location different from the first location of the flotation member and the second location of the flotation member.

This invention relates to a survival craft comprising a hull (10) formed from inflatable members, an optional canopy support structure carried by the hull and formed from inflatable members, and an inflatable wall structure (11). The invention also relates to rigid pod (19) configured to carry a survival craft in a deflated state and be coupled to the hull when the craft is in an inflated state. The inflatable parts may be formed from drop thread material.

An evacuation system may comprise a packboard, an evacuation slide configured to deploy from the packboard, and a canopy support apparatus is disclosed. The canopy support apparatus may comprise a valve extending from a proximal end of a canopy support tube toward a distal end of the canopy support tube and into an internal cavity of the canopy support tube. The valve may be configured to open a channel during inflation. The valve may be configured to seal the channel via internal pressure in the internal cavity acting on a sealing component of the valve when the canopy support tube is in an inflated state.

Disclosed is a buoyancy tube for a life raft having: a first panel including: a first panel top edge and a first panel bottom edge, the first panel top edge defines a first repeating pattern, and the first panel bottom edge defines a second repeating pattern that is a rotated version of the first panel top edge; a second panel that has a same shape as the first panel, the first and second panels connected by a first elongated seam and a second elongated seam that are non-overlapping with one another, the first and second panels, when connected, define outer an inner boundaries of the life raft, the outer boundary defines an outer polygon having outer sides and the inner boundary defines an inner polygon having inner sides such that each of the plurality of outer sides is parallel with one of the plurality of inner sides.

A life raft may comprise a border tube and a canopy support tube coupled to an outer portion of the border tube. A first orifice defined by the canopy support tube is aligned with a second orifice defined by the border tube. A diameter of the first orifice is less than a diameter of the second orifice.

An inline for an inflatable assembly may comprise a first end defining a primary gas inlet and a second end defining a primary gas outlet. An internal surface may define a flow path extending from the primary gas inlet to the primary gas outlet. An orifice may be located between the first end and the second end. The orifice may be defined, at least partially, by a radial wall extending from the internal surface to the external surface. The orifice may be configured to entrain ambient air with a primary gas flowing from the primary gas inlet to the primary gas outlet.

An inflation system for an evacuation system may comprise an inflator and a controller operationally coupled to the inflator. The inflator may include a solid gas generating material and an igniter configured to ignite in response to receiving an ignite signal. The solid gas generating material may be configured to generate a gas in response to an ignition of the igniter. The controller may be configured to send the ignite signal to the inflator.

An evacuation system may comprise a first plurality of tubes configured to inflate by an aspirator and pressure cylinder upon deployment from an aircraft. The evacuation system may further comprise a second plurality of tubes coupled to the first plurality of tubes. The second plurality of tubes may be configured to be in deflated state when the evacuation system is in a slide configuration. The second plurality of tubes may be configured to be in an inflated state when the evacuation system is in a raft configuration.