Abstract: Airway and equipment protective buoyant, rescue, marking and recovery devices are disclosed. A garment mounted dual zipper cover releases a bladder that creates a reliable mandibular shelf and bracket while simultaneously encapsulating the crico-thyroid cartilage protecting it from compression. A dual wall personal floatation device (PFD) with its over sized inner bladder creates extended midline crossing. A dual chambered inner bladder separates the compressed gas inflated high-pressure low-volume bladder required for corrective turning from the higher-volume lower-pressure orally inflated chamber which provides the additional buoyancy needed to improve freieboard. A dual release fabric lock handle allows for the quick release of the deflated redundant abdominal PFD which then serves as an accurately thrown rescue inflatable. A PFD integrated variable-displacement dual-pressure personal life raft uses compressed gas to inflate a rigid floor conferring sufficient buoyancy to support the Marines 35 lb.

Abstract: A wetsuit with a close fitting portion above the waist and a loose fitting portion below the waist is disclosed. The close fit of the upper portion provides thermal insulation and coverage in the manner of a conventional wetsuit, whereas the lower portion provides maximum freedom of movement. The wetsuit provides protection against irritation and ultraviolet radiation that is superior to the typical combination of jacket and trunks.

Abstract: A protective garment is presented. The protective garment includes at least one extremity covering piece capable of being attached to a torso covering piece. The extremity covering piece is closable about a length thereof and includes at least one closure element attached to the extremity covering piece. The closure element is capable of closing at least a portion of said extremity covering piece about its length. The protective garment further includes a protective shield member attached to an inner surface of the extremity covering piece.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket includes a cushion pad lying inside a backplate of the jacket and the cushion pad is water-impervious on its surface and formed in a plurality of regions with dome-shaped swellings being convex toward the back of a wearer. The jacket including such cushion pad can prevent water permeation into the pad from occurring and a weight of the pad from increasing due to the water permeation during diving.

Abstract: A wetsuit is provided having a torso portion arranged to be secured about a torso of a person. The torso portion includes a neck opening, a pair of upper limb openings and a pair of lower limb openings. A limb extension can be attached to each of the limb openings for covering a respective limb of the person. Each limb extension comprises an elongate tubular member extending longitudinally between an inner end arranged to be secured to the torso portion and an outer free end. The limb extensions can thus be added and removed as desired such that a single wetsuit can be modified for use in varying dive conditions. The use of a single adjustable suit is considerably less costly as compared to purchasing several different types of suits while being convenient enough to adjust to different dive conditions without the need to even remove the torso portion of the suit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a full body swimsuit for enhancing a swimmer's performance in the water. Swimming performance is enhanced by optimizing swimming efficiency, which include influencing the swimmer's physiological responses, improving the accuracy of the swimmer's movements, and optimizing the direction of the resultant propellant forces by modifying the propellant areas.

Abstract: A garment for use in watersports to protect one or more than one vulnerable region of a person's body considered susceptible to injury associated with repetitive contact with a hard surfboard surface, comprising a body garment (10) having an inside surface and an outer surface; and one or more than one cushioning pad (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) connected to the body garment (10), disposed adjacent the inside surface, or the outer surface, or the inside surface and the outer surface, and positioned in juxtaposition to the one or more than one vulnerable region of the body, and one or more than one insert pad (44) for insertion into one or more than one pocket (26). The vulnerable regions may be optionally selected from the group consisting of the body area in proximity to the ribs, upper hips, elbows, inner elbows, knees, ankles, front of ankles adjacent the feet, and lower back.

Abstract: A wetsuit structure (10) having a zipper (15) extending from a neck opening (14) of the wetsuit and down that portion of the wetsuit which, in use, will at least surround the upper part of the torso (11) of a wearer of the wetsuit. A barrier panel (16) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material is attached within the interior of the wetsuit adjacent to, and underlying, at least a major portion of the length of the zipper. The wetsuit structure also has a detachable neck or collar (17) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material adapted, in use, to be pulled over the head of the wearer while stretching in the process, but then relaxing to fit relatively tightly into sealing engagement around the neck of the wearer, and a series of press studs or snaps (18, 19) to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit.

Abstract: A diving suit has a suit body made of a waterproof material. The suit body has an upper torso portion configured for enclosing an upper torso of a diver. The upper torso portion includes a pair of sleeves for enclosing the diver's arms and an opening for the diver's neck. The suit body has a trousers portion for enclosing the diver's legs. The upper torso portion further has an opening sealed by a zipper. An upper segment of the opening extends diagonally across a front panel of the upper torso portion from one shoulder area of the upper torso portion. A lower segment of the opening partially encircles a waist area of the upper torso portion. This increases the effective length of the opening and makes it easier for the diver to put on and take off the diving suit.

Abstract: A rubber diver's garment with a zip-out front panel flap bounding within the zipper track a relatively large opening approximately coincident in size to the size of the front panel of the upper torso of the garment, which opening by its size and the enlargement thereof afforded by the stretch of the rubber construction material of the garment, readily permits the diver to project arms, legs and neck respectively into the sleeves, leggings and hood seal of the garment without the assistance of another.

Abstract: A supplied air snorkeling device is provided. This device includes a flotation vest coupled with a tank holder. This flotation vest contains flotation material that cannot be deflated and substantially prohibits a user from submerging. A tank cover is positioned within the tank holder for holding an air tank. Still further, a hose retainer is coupled with the vest. In use, an air tank is placed within the tank cover which is then placed within the tank holder. A hose extends from the air tank through the hose retainer and is connected to a regulator that is connected to a mouthpiece which fits into a user's mouth. The hose retainer keeps the mouthpiece in close proximity to the user's mouth. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of making this supplied air snorkeling device. This method includes coupling a tank holder with a flotation vest.

Abstract: A rubber diver's garment with a zip-out front panel flap bounding within the zipper track a relatively large opening approximately coincident in size to the size of the front panel of the upper torso of the garment, which opening by its size and the enlargement thereof afforded by the stretch of the rubber construction material of the garment, readily permits the diver to project arms, legs and neck respectively into the sleeves, leggings and hood seal of the garment without the assistance of another.

Abstract: A close-fitting garment, especially a swimsuit, has panels of elastic stretch fabric joined at seams and shaped to conform with muscle groups of the body, in particular in the abdominal region and at the gluteal region.

Abstract: A closure device for slit openings of aquatic sport suits, in particular of suits made of chloroprene rubber, with zippers which close the slit opening arranged both on the outside and on the inside of the aquatic sport suit. Both halves of the zipper are secured along the slit opening in close proximity to the sides of the opening. Two mutually overlapping tabs which also overlap the slit opening may be arranged on the inside of the aquatic sport suit along both sides of the slit opening. At least one sealing device is provided between the zippers (4, 8) which are arranged on the outside (1) and the inside (5) of the aquatic sport suit (2). If necessary, the zipper (8) disposed on the inside (5) is attached to two strips (12, 13; 12′, 13′) which are disposed on the inside (5) of the aquatic sport suit (2) and extend lengthwise along the slit opening (3), with the zipper (8) closing an opening region (3′) formed between the two strips (12, 13; 12′, 13′).

Abstract: An easy access immersion suit, in which the zippered opening starts at the crotch, runs diagonally up across and around the hip, diagonally across the back and ending at the underarm opposite the previous referred to hip.