A deployable conscious or unconscious person-in-the-water rescue apparatus that can be manually or automatically deployed multiple and consecutive times to assist both a rescuer and a person-in-the-water by providing a tethered net that self-deploys in the water and supports the person-in-the-water while being pulled to safety.

Apparatus for facilitating recovery of objects from a hydraulic channel containing a flowing fluid, the apparatus comprising: a porous planar surface for disposition within the hydraulic channel, the porous planar surface being elevated in the direction of flow in the hydraulic channel at an angle to a plane extending normal to the force of gravity such that the horizontal component of the angle of elevation is greater than the vertical component thereof; wherein the porous planar surface is configured to permit the fluid flowing in the hydraulic channel to flow through the porous planar surface without materially obstructing the flow of the fluid in the hydraulic channel.

A rescue basket having the capacity to safely hold two full-sized individuals increases the efficiency and effectiveness of helicopter water rescue and recovery operations. The rescue basket includes an open end, which affords an additional option for loading passengers, along with a door mechanism that can at least partially close off the open end for passenger safety. The rescue basket includes a flotation system that maintains the basket at a desired flotation level when completely immersed in water, along with sufficient reserve buoyancy to safely maintain the passengers above water when loaded. Methods of performing a water rescue utilizing the present rescue basket on board of a helicopter are also provided.

New water rescue devices and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rescue device comprises an inflatable net with a handle, and a switch for causing the inflation of the inflatable net. In some methods, a user positions the inflatable net underneath at least part of a person or other object prior to inflation, and the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object above the surface of a body of water, rescuing the person or object. In some embodiments, the invention is incorporated in a rescue buoy or rescue can. In some embodiments, an inflatable body other than a net also, or alternatively, is provided. For example, an expanding flotation ring or other flotation device is provided, which envelopes and holds the person or object when inflated.

A water rescue system comprising at least a tubular element connectable to crafts, wherein the tubular element comprises a housing for an inflatable boat.

A rescue basket having the capacity to safely hold two full-sized individuals increases the efficiency and effectiveness of helicopter water rescue and recovery operations. The rescue basket includes an open end, which affords an additional option for loading passengers, along with a door mechanism that can at least partially close off the open end for passenger safety. The rescue basket includes a flotation system that maintains the basket at a desired flotation level when completely immersed in water, along with sufficient reserve buoyancy to safely maintain the passengers above water when loaded. Methods of performing a water rescue utilizing the present rescue basket on board of a helicopter are also provided.

New water rescue devices and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rescue device comprises an inflatable net with a handle, and a switch for causing the inflation of the inflatable net. In some methods, a user positions the inflatable net underneath at least part of a person or other object prior to inflation, and the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object above the surface of a body of water, rescuing the person or object. In some embodiments, the invention is incorporated in a rescue buoy or rescue can. In some embodiments, an inflatable body other than a net also, or alternatively, is provided. For example, an expanding flotation ring or other flotation device is provided, which envelopes and holds the person or object when inflated.

A water rescue system comprising at least a tubular element connectable to crafts, wherein the tubular element comprises a housing for an inflatable boat.

New expanding net interceptors and rescue devices are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a rescue device comprises a dense, positionable head, an extendable boom and a handle with an expansion and/or inflation trigger, wherein the positionable head comprises folded or compacted net, expandable and/or inflatable by the expansion and/or inflation trigger.

It can be difficult for a person in the water to get onto a boat or dock. The emergency ladder launcher is a device mounted on a boat or a dock with a release mechanism that can be activated by a person in the water to deploy a ladder.