A life vest stowage device comprises a receptacle with a receptacle opening. The device has first and second tabs with first and second tab apertures. In a closed configuration, a closure flap is in a folded position in which it at least partially covers the opening. The first and second tabs are exposed through the closure flap to allow access to the tab apertures from an outer side of the closure flap. A pull strap extends from the interior volume through the opening and over the outer side of the closure flap. The pull strap has a pull strap aperture securable to the first and second tab apertures by a frangible seal, such that the closure flap can only be moved to an unfolded position by moving the pull strap aperture and the first and second tab apertures away from one another so as to break the frangible seal.

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.

A personal flotation, rescue, and evacuation device includes a vest worn overhead by a user. The user's head fits through a central opening formed in the vest. The vest includes a front chest portion and a rear back portion. A lateral sleeve is disposed at a lower end of the rear vest portion. A buoyant structure having a pair of free ends fits through the sleeve. The free ends of the buoyant structure are wrapped around the user's waist and connected in front to form a waist belt flotation structure. The vest incorporates a hood having a frame component at its front edge. When deployed, the hood remains in an erect, lofted condition and creates a canopy effect surrounding the user's head. The hood is connected at its lower end to another flotation element arranged in a collar configuration. This collar-type flotation element is connected in front to the waist belt flotation structure.

An inflatable flotation device including two panels extending from a body an inflatable bladder. The two panels and the body may be closed to enclose the inflatable bladder with the two panels attached to each other using magnets. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the magnets separate from each other and the two panels open up to expose the inflatable bladder and allow further inflation.

A life preserver includes first and second buoyancy sections 3, 4 arranged such that, in use, the first and second buoyancy sections lie on opposite sides respectively of a wearer's chest, wherein said first and second buoyancy sections include respective inner facing regions that face one another above the wearer's chest, each of the facing regions having a chin support portion 11A, 11B and being configured to abut each other in use to form a chin support.

A water safety garment and apparatus configured to avoid drowning can be configured to permit submergence for a predetermined period of time without inflation. After the predetermined time has passed, the garment or other apparatus can be configured to inflate to help a person wearing the garment float on top of the water to avoid drowning or other potentially harmful condition that may result from being underwater for too long. In some embodiments, a circuit may be utilized to detect the submergence condition of a person wearing the apparatus or garment. Upon a determination that the detected submergence condition has occurred continuously for a pre-determined period of time, an inflation mechanism can be actuated to force the person wearing the apparatus or garment to float to the top of the water.

A water safety garment and apparatus configured to avoid drowning can be configured to permit submergence for a predetermined period of time without inflation. After the predetermined time has passed, the garment or other apparatus can be configured to inflate to help a person wearing the garment float on top of the water to avoid drowning or other potentially harmful condition that may result from being underwater for too long. In some embodiments, a circuit may be utilized to detect the submergence condition of a person wearing the apparatus or garment. Upon a determination that the detected submergence condition has occurred continuously for a pre-determined period of time, an inflation mechanism can be actuated to force the person wearing the apparatus or garment to float to the top of the water.

A personal survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber (9) and in inflation system (31) operable to inflate the inflatable chamber (9), wherein the inflation system (31) is mounted separately from and remotely from the inflatable chamber (9). Also disclosed are: a survival system for use in water includes an inflatable chamber including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is separate from the outer layer; an inflation control system for use with an in-water survival system, the inflation control system comprises a selectively sealable chamber configured to contain water-triggered automatic inflation device of the survival system; and a personal survival system including an inflatable bladder and a moulded cover constructed from a flexible polymer.

There is described an inflatable life jacket (1), comprising at least a first inflatable chamber (2) and a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber (2), characterized in that said second chamber (3) comprises in its inside at least one acid resin and at least one metal having an electrical potential lower than the hydrogen standard reduction potential, said second chamber (3) being provided with unidirectional means (5) able to allow the entry of water inside it.

An inflation device is provided including a shell, a pin, a restraining element, and a moveable element. The shell is adapted to be coupled to an inflation canister. The pin is positioned within the shell. The pin is adapted to open a seal of the inflation canister. The restraining element is positioned within the shell. The moveable element includes a shape memory alloy. The moveable element is moveable from a first position to a second position responsive to electrical energy sent to the moveable element. While the moveable element is in the first position, the restraining element is secured within the shell to restrain the pin from opening the seal of the inflation canister. While the moveable element is in the second position, the pin is releasable to open the seal of the inflation canister.