Abstract: A life-saving aid comprising an elongate inflatable tube provided with an automatic inflation device arranged to release CO.sub.2 gas to inflate the tube when immersed in water or manually triggered. When inflated, the tube forms an elongate substantially linear cylinder sufficiently rigid to at least support its own weight when held horizontally from a proximal end. The tube is compact when deflated, is throwable, has significant tensile strength, and is designed so that after inflation and use, gas may be readily excluded via oral inflation tube by releasing the valve and rolling the tube from distal end toward proximal end.