Abstract: The outer periphery of a face mask has a first ribbed seal member located on an outward facing surface of the mask and configured to mate with a second ribbed seal member located on an inward facing surface of a periphery of a face opening in a hood that fits over the user's head during use. The ribbed seal members mate to form fluid tight seal. A skirt is connected to the mask and extends around the outer periphery and along a portion of the inside surface of the mask in order to form a contact seal with the user's head during use.

Abstract: A diver's suit, survival suit, or a suit worn to protect a worker from hazardous materials is provided with releasable water-tight seals around the wrists, ankles and/or neck. Each releasable water-tight seal includes first and second complementary shaped annular interlocking seal members preferably extruded from a first polymeric material. Gaskets made of a second softer polymeric material may be co-extruded with the first polymeric material and are compressed when the seal members are mated in order to enhance the impermeability of the resulting seal to liquids or gases.

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 diver's buoyancy control device (BCD) comprises a jacket configured to be worn by a diver. The jacket includes a back portion for overlying a diver's back and a pair of side portions connected to the back portion for overlying the diver's chest. A scuba tank can be releasably connected to the back portion of the jacket. An inflatable bladder is connected to the back portion of the jacket and a mechanism is provided for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder with a pressurized gas from the scuba tank. The base of a shoulder yoke that includes a pair of shoulder straps is adjustably connected to the back portion of the jacket at a plurality of preselected vertical positions for permitting easy and rapid size adjustment. A waist belt has a pair of segments each of which has a rear end that is attached to a corresponding location on a corresponding side of the back portion of the jacket. A first mechanism is provided for releasably coupling a pair of mating forward ends of the waist belt segments.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator assembly includes an inflatable bladder for supporting on a diver's back. Inflation of the bladder and venting of the bladder are controlled from a control unit carried at the front of the diver. The bladder has a passageway extending under a portion of the bladder for guiding hoses from the outside of the bladder at the rear of the diver towards the control unit at the front of the diver. A guide sleeve extends from the bladder over the diver's shoulder for holding hoses close to the diver's body.

Abstract: A diver's weight assembly for attaching diver's weights to a belt includes one or more weight packs and an attachment and quick release mechanism for attaching each weight pack to a belt. The attachment and release mechanism includes a fastener assembly releasably securing the weight pack to the belt, and a release device for releasing the fastener assembly. The release device has a handle for operating the release device, and the handle is secured to the weight pack so that the weight pack can be pulled away from the body via the handle once released.

Abstract: A material for use in making at least part of an underwater diver's dry suit comprises at least two sections of a composite material abutted and secured together along a pair of adjacent edges, the material comprising an outer layer of waterproof material, an inner layer of material, and a middle layer of permanently collapsible cellular material, the abutted edges comprising a seam line formed by compressing the material of both sections to permanently collapse the cellular material of the middle layer.

Abstract: An underwater diver's dry suit having a permanently compressed cellular core material and inner and outer layers of covering material.

Abstract: A method of treating a diver's suit constructed of foam core material having a cover material on both sides, including the step of hydrostatically compressing the suit to permanently compress the cells in the foam core material to provide a suit which has very little compression left and which changes little in thermal conductivity and buoyancy with depth.

Abstract: A wet type survival suit, particularly useful for oil rig workers or pilots and crew members stranded in water, includes an outer layer of material including a sheet of breathing material sandwiched between layers of fire protection material, a middle layer of insulation material that provides flotation, and an inner layer of fire protection material. This arrangement protects against fire, allows perspiration to evaporate, and allows the user to float in water. Suit adjusting laces are provided to adjust the suit to a comfortable configuration for the user. Zippers close the suit to a tight fit for use in water and can be loosened to reduce the restriction when desired.

Abstract: An air inlet valve for an underwater diver's dry suit including a restricted opening in the air inlet coupling on the air inlet hose whereby the air inlet hose acts as a plenum chamber. A valve member is opened to pass the air in the inlet hose to the interior of the suit with a burst. Due to the restricted opening, air can be exhausted from the suit faster than it is introduced and thus avoiding a blow up in the suit, thereby bringing the diver to the surface causing a serious accident.

Abstract: An easy access underwater diving suit in which the torso portion of the suit is longer than a diver's torso height and that has a diagonal zippered opening in the upper front portion from shoulder to opposite hip to provide a maximum, easy access opening. After the diver is inside the suit, the torso portion of the suit is adjusted to the height of the diver. A fastening arrangement holds the suit in the adjusted condition.

Abstract: An underwater diving suit construction that provides skirts of low friction material adjacent the openings through which the diver inserts his head, hands and feet. This greatly facilitates getting into the suit and reduces the discomfort which normally accompanies this action without requiring specials aids such as greases and powders and greatly increases the life and dependability of the seals and thereby the suit.

Abstract: A method of sealing an underwater diving suit constructed of foam core material having a cover material on both sides, including steps of removing a portion of the cover material on the inside of the suit along the seam to expose the foam core and adhering the foam portion of a sealing strip to the foam core.

Abstract: A non-return hot water diving suit in which hot water is supplied to keep the diver warm is exhausted from the suit through a single outlet valve, readily accessible to the diver. In the event of failure of the hot water supply the valve can be quickly closed, trapping the existing hot water in the suit and extending the length of time available for the diver to return to safety. In the preferred form the valve is combined with a flow controlling baffle, which will allow normal hot water outlet flow, but inhibits sudden or rapid intake of cold water through the open outlet.