Abstract: A vacuum-packed assembly for the compact storage of compressible survival equipment is provided. The assembly includes a compressed article of survival equipment, such as a sleeping bag, life raft, or parachute within a flexible, evacuated, heat-sealed envelope of gas-impermeable material. An outer envelope of thicker, more durable material is preferably employed for protecting the inner envelope. The outer envelope is also evacuated. If a parachute is stored within the assembly, an actuation neck is provided for allowing the envelopes to be ruptured upon deployment of a drogue or pilot parachute. Both the drogue parachute and an aircrewman can be connected to the parachute externally of the vacuum envelopes without risking vacuum integrity.

Abstract: A vacuum packaged flotation device is provided comprising the combination of an inflatable flotation device, equipment for inflating the flotation device which comprises a valve, a container for holding an inflating medium and the inflating medium, and a sealed vacuum package containing the inflatable flotation device and the equipment for inflating same, which is provided with at least one device for automatically or manually, actuating the inflation of the flotation device; wherein the inflation of the flotation device is triggered by a pull force which acts either automatically or manually on one or more connecting lanyards which are attached at one end to the actuation device, which lanyards extend through the vacuum package in such a manner as to preserve the integrity of the vacuum seal, while at the same time allowing the manual triggering of the actuation device with the exertion of a pull force of no more than about 7-15 Kg from any of a plurality of angles.