A float apparatus for preventing the loss of a bow accidentally dropped in a body of water, the apparatus including a hydrostatic valve, a camshaft, a plunger, a gas cartridge and a bladder, all of which are operatively coupled to one another by a valve frame contained within a housing. When a bow having the float apparatus attached thereto is submerged, the hydrostatic valve automatically rotates the camshaft when the float apparatus reaches a desired depth. As the camshaft rotates, it presses against the plunger causing it to pierce the gas cartridge thereby releasing a gas. The gas is then directed through the valve frame into the bladder thereby inflating the bladder and causing the bow to float.

An underwater body having a movable component which can be moved into a retracted position and, as a result, increases the volume of the underwater body. In addition, a method is disclosed for operating such an underwater body. An expansion means conducts a fluid into a hollow space. The hollow space is operatively connected to the movable component. When the fluid is conducted into the hollow space, the movable component is moved into the extended position relative to the shell of the underwater body. The fluid in the hollow space hardens. The hardened fluid in the hollow space holds the movable component in the extended position.

An underwater body having a movable component which can be moved into a retracted position and, as a result, increases the volume of the underwater body. In addition, a method is disclosed for operating such an underwater body. An expansion means conducts a fluid into a hollow space. The hollow space is operatively connected to the movable component. When the fluid is conducted into the hollow space, the movable component is moved into the extended position relative to the shell of the underwater body. The fluid in the hollow space hardens. The hardened fluid in the hollow space holds the movable component in the extended position.