Abstract: An individual rescue apparatus for use around the waist of a person comprising a waist encircling support belt (1) with a Fastener (2a,2b) at its extremities, an inflation system (9-14) adapted to be secured to the support belt, a pressurized gas reservoir adapted to be able to be placed in communication with the inflation system, and a release device adapted to assure the inflation of the system from the gas reservoir, the inflation system comprising a atubular portion (9) extending along the support belt and connected to the gas reservoir, and cells (11-14) distributed along the tubular portion and communicating therewith for inflating the cells by the action of the release device, the support belt (1) comprising an upward extension (3) of a height adapted to extend approximately above the center of gravity of the person when the belt is worn around the waist, the extension (3) being provided with an attaching zone (3a) in its upper portion, the inflation system (9-14) being maintained, in the passive posit