Abstract: A personal flotation assembly is provided that includes flotation device and a protective shell extending therefrom. The flotation device is a buoyant structure that includes an open interior, such as a ring or similar shape. Along the lower end of the flotation device is a protective shell. The shell includes a spiral expansion spring therein and a resilient construction, whereby the shell is adapted to compress against the flotation device when stored and expand outward when deployed. When deployed, the shell forms a rounded sidewall, an enclosed lower, and an interior volume sized to receive the floating user. The shell is made of a resilient material and is water permeable. Therefore, the flotation assembly supports a floating user and protects the user when adrift for long periods. Additional locating elements may be secured to the floatation device, including strobes or signal generators.

Abstract: An open ended enclosure with a top, sides, and a bottom, where the sides and the bottom form an interior enclosed space. A buoyant device and an inflatable device are provided, where the buoyant device and the inflatable device are connected to form a combination and where the combination is connected with the top of the open ended enclosure. The sides connect the top and the bottom and the sides form a flexible wall and where the flexible wall consists of a combination of at least three layers, a first, outer, layer, a second, middle, layer and a third, inner, layer. The third layer is connected to the second layer and the second layer is connected to the first layer, and, further, the first layer is a water impervious layer, the second layer is a bioelectrical blocking layer and the third layer is a sound emission blocking layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting users of surfboards, kayaks and other personal water activity apparatus against sharks and other water-borne predators is provided. A plurality of lights is provided on the bottom and side surfaces of the personal water activity apparatus. The lights are actuated to mask and distort the shadow, shape or outline of the user together with the personal water activity apparatus, in effect camouflaging the user and his or her personal water activity apparatus. The lights may be actuated either manually or automatically. Sensors are provided to detect the stage of ambient light in order to automatically actuate the light sources.

Abstract: A propulsive force controlling apparatus controls a propulsion system attached to a hull of a marine vessel. The propulsion system includes a motor, a propulsive force generating member which receives a torque from the motor to generate a propulsive force, a clutch mechanism which operates only in either a coupling state which permits transmission of the torque from the motor to the propulsive force generating member with virtually no slippage and a decoupling state which prohibits the transmission of the torque from the motor to the propulsive force generating member, and a clutch actuator which actuates the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A method for repelling predatory animals by the use of aposematic patterns and colorations is disclosed. A man (10) if isolated, alone, or injured in marine or ocean waters (24) is substantially at the mercy of numerous predatory organisms that live and thrive in the marine environment (24) such as for example a shark (26). There are however organisms or animals such as deadly Pelamis platurus sea snakes (28) which possess oposematic colorations such as bright yellow backgrounds (30) with black irregular spots (32). It has been found that sharks (26) typically have an innate avoidance response to these sea snakes. According to the method of this invention, therefore, the man or diver (10) protects himself from the predatory animal (26) by wearing a wetsuit (12) which mimics the sea snake (28) or some other aposematically colored organism. Thus, according to one embodiment the wetsuit (12) will be made of a bright yellow color background (34) having a multiplicity of black irregular spots (36), (38), and (40).

Abstract: A flotation life support device in which a buoyant ring is hinged to form an opening permitting entry of an occupant and in which an underwater bag depends from the ring and has an opening in alignment with the opening in the ring permitting easy entry to the ring and bag. The opening in the bag is closed by a slide fastener so that the occupant and the water contained in the bag are separated from the surrounding water to minimize dissipation of body heat. The ring also is provided with a seat to support the occupant and with a canopy to protect the occupant against spray and wave action for easier control of breathing.