Abstract: An inflation system for the inflation of an inflatable flotation device wherein a gas is chargeable into a gas inflatable chamber, from a gas vessel containing compressed gas, so as to form a floatable body. The inflation system initiates or triggers the inflation of such a device by taking advantage of a pressure responsive activation mechanism; the system may additionally or alternatively exploit an electrically breakable filament trigger to initiate inflation. The flotation device may be a personal flotation device in the form, for example, of a flotation vest or it may be a flotation device such as an inflatable dingy, buoy and the like.