A wetsuit is provided which comprises (a) a first central region comprising a first material and having a first thickness; and (b) a second lateral region comprising a second material and having a second thickness. The buoyancy per unit area of the first region is greater than the buoyancy per unit area of the second region.

In one aspect, there is provided a fabric containing gas therein, the fabric comprising a weave between warps and wefts, wherein each warp includes an elongate array of a plurality of individual gas cells, wherein neighboring gas cells are physically coupled to each other via a connection, wherein the connection is monolithic with the gas cells, and each cell contains the gas therein.

Disclosed is a wet suit, including: an upper jacket 100 for, putted on an upper body of a user, injecting or discharging air into an interior by the user's operation or a predetermined operation; a pair of lower pants 200 putted on a lower body of the user; and a propulsive generation portion 300 for, detachably putted on a waist of the user, generating a self-propulsive force according to the user's operation or a predetermined operation to generates a propulsive force for pushing water to a rear direction of the user.

An environmental protection garment for use during water activities includes a wetsuit. A plurality of bladders, a receiver, a transmitter, and a controller are coupled to the wetsuit. An inflation unit coupled to the wetsuit and fluidically coupled to the plurality of bladders. The receiver is global position system enabled. The controller is operationally coupled to the inflation unit, the receiver, and the transmitter. The controller is positioned to selectively actuate the inflation unit to inflate the bladders to increase a buoyancy of a user. The controller is positioned to selectively actuate the receiver to receive location coordinates and the transmitter to transmit the location coordinates and a distress signal.

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.

A flotation system includes a crotch support and a vest. The crotch support includes a central body, a first pad, a second pad, and first and second elastic bands extending from the first pad. The vest includes a lower torso support and an upper torso stabilization system. The lower torso support can include a flexible body, first and second flanks extending from the flexible body, and torso grip attached to one of the first and second flanks. The stabilization system can include first and second arms, each having a proximal end extending from the lower torso support, and a distal end. A male or female component of linking system is attached to the lower torso support proximate to the torso grip, and a female or male component is attached to the crotch support. Each of the central body, pads, flexible body, and arms can include a buoyant body.

A flotation system includes a crotch support and a vest. The crotch support includes a central body, a first pad, a second pad, and first and second elastic bands extending from the first pad. The vest includes a lower torso support and an upper torso stabilization system. The lower torso support can include a flexible body, and first and second flanks extending from the flexible body. The stabilization system can include first and second arms, each having a proximal end extending from the lower torso support, and a distal end. An extension may extend from each distal end to engage the first or second flank. Each of the central body, pads, flexible body, and arms can include a buoyant body. The elastic bands can wrap around the lower torso support such that a compressive force is applied along a circumference defined by a torso of a user.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a pop-up vest, illustratively implemented as a flotation apparel item comprising a water sport apparel item, an inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) configured in the water sport apparel item, and an inflation trigger configured to inflate the PFD. The water sport apparel item may comprise a shirt, t-shirt, wetsuit or rash guard. The water sport apparel item may be adapted to retain the PFD between an outer apparel item layer and a base apparel item layer sewn together. The inflation trigger may be a pull tab configured to inflate the PFD when desired. The inflation trigger may be a sensor configured to automatically inflate the PFD when the sensor is wet. An exemplary pop-up vest implementation may be configured with a water activated light to improve visibility. Some pop-up vest designs may comprise a whistle permitting the user to raise awareness of their location.

A rain bib garment is provided, wherein the rain bib garment includes buoyant elements that may be employed so that a wearer may float in water, should the need arise, and further includes means for providing a substantially water-tight seal between the rain bib and a wearer at an upper portion of the rain bib.

A wader garment is provided, wherein the wader garment includes buoyant elements that may be employed so that a wearer may float in water, should the need arise, and further includes means for providing a substantially water-tight seal between the waders and a wearer at an upper portion of the waders. The wader garment may also include drainage valves on the leg portions to drain water from waders, if necessary, as well as a urination valve that may be in an open position or a closed position.