Abstract: A personal flotation device includes a hard outer shell, a seat, a centered leg straddle support, and a water ballast valve. The flotation device is fully submersible and has adjustable buoyancy that allows the user to sit upright on the device, floating at approximately armpit level in the water with the user's arms free and feet dangling down. The user can use his or her arms and legs to propel through the water, or perform other activities while floating because his or her hands are free to do so.

Abstract: A personal flotation device includes a hard outer shell, a seat, a centered leg straddle support, and a water ballast valve. The flotation device is fully submersible and has adjustable buoyancy that allows the user to sit upright on the device, floating at approximately armpit level in the water with the user's arms free and feet dangling down. The user can use his or her arms and legs to propel through the water, or perform other activities while floating because his or her hands are free to do so.

Abstract: A process for producing a landscape plan for a property uses a set of predefined unique symbols, each corresponding to a generic landscape element. The landscape plan uses the symbols to indicate the locations on the property where various generic landscape elements are to located. Landscape elements include not only plants, but hardscape elements such as retaining walls, sidewalks, driveways, patios, pools, ponds, etc. Generic plant categories are also defined according to plant size and leaf texture. Symbols are assigned for hardscape elements according to a type of material to be used. A customer communicates information regarding the property to a landscape architect, preferably via the Internet. The information includes a survey of the property, a photograph of the property, and a list of desired landscape characteristics for the property.