Abstract: A survival craft comprises a hull (10) formed from inflatable members (12, 13) and mounting a powered propulsion system (18, 19) for the survival craft. A superstructure (11) is mounted on the hull and formed from inflatable members (25, 26, 29a-29i) and a flexible roof (28) supported by the inflatable members (25, 26, 29a-29i). The superstructure provides the hull (10) with increased longitudinal rigidity that reduces the tendency of the hull (10) to bow longitudinally when the propulsion system (18, 19) is operating. The survival craft forms part of a marine escape system with the survival craft deflated and packed in a container including an inflation system for the survival craft. The system has a deployment system for amounting on a marine structure and carrying the container with the deployment system transferring the container from the structure to the water where the inflation system inflates the survival craft for access by persons.

Abstract: This invention relates to a survival craft comprising a hull (10) formed from inflatable members, an optional canopy support structure carried by the hull and formed from inflatable members, and an inflatable wall structure (11). The invention also relates to rigid pod (19) configured to carry a survival craft in a deflated state and be coupled to the hull when the craft is in an inflated state. The inflatable parts may be formed from drop thread material.

Abstract: A method of countering the effects of G-forces on a person comprises passing inflation gas to a bladder (41, 40) around a leg of the person by starting the inflation of the bladder (41, 49) to an operating pressure from a point (62a, 62d) adjacent an ankle of the leg as well as from a point (62b, 62c, 62e, 62f) spaced from said ankle towards the abdomen of the wearer. The inflation then progresses away from the ankle at the same time as the upper part of the bladder is being inflated. When the bladder (41, 49) is inflated to the operating pressure, the blood vessels of the leg are constricted.

Abstract: A submarine escape suit assembly comprises a submarine escape suit (10) and a liferaft pack (11). The pack (11) is formed by an outer casing (20) that can be pulled open to access a sealed inner casing (21) containing a liferaft. A cord (27) on the inner pack (11) is pulled to commence inflation of the liferaft (10).

Abstract: A submarine escape suit is made longitudinally adjustable by elastic adjustment members (20a, 20b) that extend along the sides of the suit between the ankle region and the arms of the suit. This provides a long adjustment length which allows a wide range of wearer heights to be accommodated. The members (20a, 20b) are encased in non-snag covers (29). A central adjustment strap (21) is also provided and is also partially encased in a non-snag cover (35).

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: The submarine escape suit has a hood (14) covering the head of a wearer during ascent from a submarine. In order to allow the wearer to expose his/her face, the hood (14) is provided with a portion (21) overlying the face of a wearer that is releasable from the remainder of the hood (14). The releasable portion (21) may be re-attachable.

Abstract: A submarine escape suit includes an ascent stole (22) for assisting a wearer to ascent to the surface from a submarine. The suit also includes a life preserver stole (26) that can be inflated on reaching the surface, to provide the suit with additional surface buoyancy. The life preserver stole (26) can also be inflated underwater to provide the suit with additional ascent buoyancy, if required.

Abstract: A conditioning garment has front and rear panels (11, 12) with a neck opening (13) between them. A manifold (17) extends along the lower edge of the front (11) panel and a manifold (24) extends along the lower edge of the rear panel (12). Tubes (27) extend between the manifolds (17, 24) and carry conditioned liquid over the torso of a wearer to heat/cool the torso. The tubes (27) are equally spaced and generally the same length to provide even heating/cooling. The garment (10) is easy to don and remove. The garment (10) can be modified by the addition of various chest compression devices, a neck support and a harness tensioning device. All these are designed to encounter increased +G-forces on the body of a wearer.

Abstract: A liferaft system has a container (10) which contains an inflatable liferaft (24) in a hermetically sealed bag (23) and an emergency pack (29) outside the bag (23). The emergency pack (29) is connected to the liferaft so that, upon inflation of the liferaft (24), the emergency pack (29) is automatically drawn into the liferaft (24). The container (10) is separable into two parts (11, 12) to allow deployment of the liferaft (24) and includes also a hatch (33) through which the emergency pack (29) can be removed and replaced without disturbing the liferaft (24).

Abstract: A fascine comprises a plurality of elongate hollow inflatable pipes (10). The pipes (10) can be surmounted by a trackway (11) formed by track sections (28) that are also inflatable. The pipes (10) in the track sections (28) can be vacuum packed for compact transportation and easy deployment.