Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: An air on demand breathing system using a dynamic transducer for controlling air is disclosed. As the compressor of the system only provides air within the hose line when a threshold has been reached as determined by the dynamic transducer battery consumption is extended as the battery does not have to provide power to the system at all times. A novel removal and replacement configuration for the one or more batteries of the system is also described.

Abstract: A dynamic transducer for use in a water surface supplied breathing system used by one or more divers underwater. The dynamic transducer in connection with a pressure switch allows the breathing system to not constantly run at all times, and therefore helps to conserve the battery life or the amount of combustible, since the motor of the breathing system is basically stalled at startup and at other times when there is sufficient amount of stored air. A controller can monitor the output pressure and the volume of air of the compressor assembly and can adjust the speed of the power propulsion to keep the right pressure available to each diver's mouthpiece based on the air demands of the user(s).

Abstract: A dive belt is provided for use by divers during underwater activities, such as scuba diving. The belt comprises a body member and a weight release system which is quickly removal while the belt remains in place on the diver. A tow clip can be attached to the belt and may be used in conjunction with a surface air supply system for pulling the surface air supply system.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: A girth adjustable waist belt that easily converts to a diver's buoyancy compensator with/without integrated weight system and can also easily convert to a utility backpack and belt in which one single size will fit the general population is provided. The mega-adjustable feature also provides secure yet expandable lower back and abdominal support offering physical protection in stressful work conditions. A dive belt is also provided for use by divers during underwater activities, such as scuba diving. The belt comprises a body member and a rapid release weight system which is quickly removal while the belt remains in place on the diver. The belt can also provide for horizontally mounted supplemental air supply system, for use in the event a main air supply is lost or not wanted. In all embodiments, an elastic depth compensator can be built into the belt, insuring a snug fit of the belt at any depth. The belt has a plurality of D-rings for convenient equipment management.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: An inflatable diver marker and collection bag is disclosed which can be utilized by a diver for collecting lobster, conch, etc., as well as providing for a diver location marker to boats and other water vehicles traveling in the vicinity of the diver. The dive marker/collection bag also provides for an individual ascent line for the diver. The inflatable dive marker/collection bag allows the diver to send the collected items to the surface without the diver having to surface. In one embodiment, the shape of at least the bottom half of the collection bag is “bell” shaped to help prevent the collected items from escaping when additional items to the collection bag. Additional embodiments for a dive marker are also shown.

Abstract: A girth adjustable waist belt that easily converts to a diver's buoyancy compensator with/without integrated weight system and can also easily convert to a utility backpack and belt in which one single size will fit the general population is provided. The mega-adjustable feature also provides secure yet expandable lower back and abdominal support offering physical protection in stressful work conditions. A dive belt is also provided for use by divers during underwater activities, such as scuba diving. The belt comprises a body member and a rapid release weight system which is quickly removal while the belt remains in place on the diver. The belt can also provide for horizontally mounted supplemental air supply system, for use in the event a main air supply is lost or not wanted. In all embodiments, an elastic depth compensator can be built into the belt, insuring a snug fit of the belt at any depth. The belt has a plurality of D-rings for convenient equipment management.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices.

Abstract: An inflatable safety device used by a person for underwater activities having a first inflatable buoyancy chamber and a second inflatable buoyancy chamber. The first inflatable buoyancy chamber can be disposed at a back side of a person while the person is underwater. The second inflatable buoyancy chamber can be disposed solely at a neck, shoulder and front side area of the person or the front side of the person. The second inflatable buoyancy chamber is in communication with the first inflatable chamber. An inflator can also be provided for inflating the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices. Also disclosed is a combined ballast and signaling device preferably neutralized by attachment to an eccentrically buoyant personal flotation device.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices.

Abstract: A water safety and survival system is disclosed that provides a multi-chambered personal flotation device and break away counterweight that provides a heads-up righting moment that reliably positions a scuba diver's airway out of the water when at the surface, and provides for a comfortable heads down position during the dive. The break away counterweight stows the ballast needed to heel the diver into a heads up position in an inactive state. Once released, the counterweight drops away and becomes capable of actively rolling the diver's face out of the water into the heads up position. The counterweight is preferably utilized in conjunction with a buoyancy compensator that further provides for rotation of the diver into a heads up orientation, and that can provide buoyancy compensation for the counterweight.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: The invention provides for a fluid ballast, alone or in combination with a solid ballast means, that is functionally directed to different locations within the boater's personal flotation device (“PFD”) or diver's Buoyancy Compensator BC through a rigid or flexible container. Complementing the effect of the shifting ballast on the PFD's airway protective turning action is the torque generated by the structurally enhanced buoyant means. The invention allows both the amount of ballast and buoyancy needed to effect reliable face flotation to be reduced to their minimum by a disclosed inverted configuration of the buoyant moment. Shifting the center of buoyancy away from the axis of rotation creates a longer arm and thus more torque per unit of displacement. The invention provides a vertically eccentric PFD, combining inferior and anterior shift in the center of buoyancy with superior posterior shift in the center of gravity, generating torque needed for improved corrective righting action of the PFD.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices. Also disclosed is a combined ballast and signaling device preferably neutralized by attachment to an eccentrically buoyant personal flotation device.