Abstract: Survival apparatus for an aircraft or the like. The survival apparatus includes a survival canister 12 in which survival gear is stowed. The canister assembly is buoyant and water tight. It is stowed prior to use in a cylindrical member 16 which is closed at one end. A maintaining structure 74 is provided to normally maintain the canister assembly 12 within the cylindrical member 16. A handle assembly 90 is provided to provide for the manual withdrawal of the assembly 12 from the cylindrical member 16, the handle assembly also engaging the maintaining structure and causing it to release the canister assembly upon application of force in one direction. A condition responsive gas discharge apparatus 14 is disposed in the closed end of the cylindrical member 16 and, in the event of an accident, it can forceably eject the canister assembly from the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An improved, low cost, water activated pressurized gas release device utilized for inflating flotation equipment, such as life jackets, when dumped into the water. The device includes a one piece die cast housing (12) formed of an electrically conductive material. All major components of the device are mounted within the housing with the exception of the container (14) of pressurized gas, a manual actuating device (18), and a battery housing (16). A portion of the housing or container acts as a first contact when immersed in an electrically conductive fluid. A battery (64) is disposed within the battery housing (16) which is in turn received within a battery bore (34) in the housing (12). The battery housing is provided with an exposed sensor plate (76) the inside of which is in electrical contact with the battery anode (74). The plate acts a second contact.