Abstract: The invention herein provides a kind of life-saving assistance device that includes an electroluminescent component that constitutes an illumination emission source mounted on string netting enshrouded on an inflatable balloon, wherein the aforesaid inflatable balloon can be packed into a satchel attached to a securing belt, and there is a battery case on the aforesaid securing belt and in the aforesaid battery case is a electric current driver device and switch for a battery-driven electroluminescent component illumination source. The securing belt can be worn by any user whatsoever and utilized to pump air into the inflatable balloon of the invention herein to provide a kind of device that emits illumination at night to indicate the exact location of rescue victims.

Abstract: A lamp for a life jacket or raft is provided with a battery box (1,2) having a battery (7) and a light source (9) arranged in a lamp housing (6). The lamp may be switched on and off by screwing the lamp housing on and off. At its perphery the rotatable lamp housing (6) is provided with one or more line attachment means in the form of teeth (13) on a toothed ring (12), and a line (14) is releasably attached to one of the teeth so that a pull in the line will cause the lamp housing (6) to rotate and thus to switch on the lamp, following which the line is automatically released from the lamp housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a signal device of a type worn by a person while engaging in a water activity in order to indicate the location of the person in the water. The signal device includes at least one belt that may form a part of or be secured to a variety of flotation devices, or that may be secured directly about a person's torso. At least one upright or mast extends upward from the belt to an upper end above a shoulder of the person. A flag or other "attention getter" is secured to the upper end of the upright in order to enhance visibility of the person to whom the signal device is secured.

Abstract: A diver surfacing signal that can be conveniently carried underwater in a launching tube that is strapped to a diver's tanks and released by the diver prior to surfacing in order to alert marine vehicles to the diver's presence. Prior to surfacing, the diver releases the surfacing signal from the launching tube by the depression of a button, and the surfacing signal remains linked to the diver by a flexible line. The flexible line functions to keep the surfacing signal in the vicinity of the diver, and can be used to retrieve the surfacing signal after the diver has come to the water surface and has moved to a safe location.

Abstract: A survival and training apparatus for children is constructed in the form of a teddy bear. The teddy bear has an exterior casing formed of multiple durable materials including a fluorescent fabric of lime yellow color that is visible during daytime conditions and a reflective fabric to facilitate visibility during nighttime conditions. A third fabric which stores light energy during the day and then emits it at night can also be included in the casing materials. The teddy bear also includes in interior filling material of polystyrene beads that facilitates human body heat insulation when the survival teddy bear is held by the child and imparts buoyancy to enable the survival teddy bear to operate as a floatation device. The survival apparatus hits a pocket formed in the back to receive and warm a child's hands. A whistle is attached via a chord to the pocket and can be alternatively inserted into the pocket for storage and retrieved therefrom for use by the child.

Abstract: A lighted lifejacket for facilitating a location of a user wearing the lifejacket. The lighted lifejacket includes a plurality of lights located around the lifejacket and is provided with a power source in the form of a battery and a switch that allows the lights to either flash or to remain on. The lifejacket further includes a plurality of interchangeable lenses that may be attached to the lights on the lifejacket to selectively change a color of the lights. The lifejacket is also provided with an extensible light mounted in a back area of the lifejacket that is operable to extend above a users head to increase a visibility of the user.

Abstract: A cape structure in combination with a life jacket is arranged for enhanced visibility of an individual wearing the life jacket, with the cape including buoyancy components and formed of opaque readily visible material. The cape is normally arranged in a furled configuration relative to the life jacket structure at the collar portion of the life jacket.

Abstract: A life vest which is adapted with various signaling devices is disclosed. This life vest is designed to be worn by a person while traveling via water. The vest is designed with various pouches and attachments for safety receptacles. It is adapted to hold a flare gun with flares, a strobe, a solar powered flare signal and a signal balloon. The vest is also adapted for attachment of a signaling device which may both transmit a signal and produce an audio signal.

Abstract: A water-activated survival lamp unit for mounting to a flotation device in proximity to the water line. The survival lamp unit comprises a hermetically sealed light transmissive housing in which are mounted a light source and a battery in an electrical circuit together. A water-responsive actuator is provided, including a pair of electric terminals extending outside the housing in a spaced apart relationship. The actuator is responsive to a momentary electrical path established between the terminals through a coherent body of water to close the electrical circuit between the battery and the light source for a predetermined time period largely exceeding the duration of the electrical path, thus causing timed actuation of the light source. Periodic water splashing of the electric terminals allows to reestablish at intervals the electric path, each time resetting the actuator which closes the electrical circuit for an additional time period.

Abstract: A signalling device for scuba divers uses their compressed air supply to drive a piston (42, 51, 72) against a diaphragm (22, 48, 49, 57, 63, 90) to generate sound in water against the diaphragm. A bistable valve 34, 52) switches pressurised air alternately to opposite ends of the piston (42, 51, 72) to cause it to reciprocate and repeatedly impact against the diaphragm (22, 48, 49, 57, 63, 90). Air is exhausted from the cylinder (11, 54, 70) through ports (27, 28, 29, 30, 110, 111, 73, 74), the ports being valved by movement of the piston.

Abstract: A rescue buoy package for use on a boat for marking the location of a person overboard and for remaining in that location until help can arrive includes an outer cylindrical tube that is mounted within arm's reach of the ship's helm and an inner cylindrical tube that fits into the outer tube and to which a heavily weighted cap is affixed. The cap extends downwardly over the open upper end of the outer tube keeping the contents dry and secure. The contents include an inflatable mast and a vest-type flotation device. The buoy can be packaged in a normal mode in which it must be deployed manually or in a second mode in which deployment is automatic. In the normal mode the buoy is deployed by pulling upwardly on a knob on the cap to remove the inner tube, the mast and the flotation device from the outer tube, and throwing the inner tube and its affixed cap into the water along with the mast and flotation device.

Abstract: A distress signaling device is disclosed which may be used on land or water which supports a light system spelling out S.O.S. or other indicia which may also become inflated automatically when coming in contact with water and which also may contain a switch which activates the lights automatically when the device is unrolled from it's carrying position. It may also be inflated automatically by a compressed air canister when coming in contact with water or may be blown up manually by mouth and also becomes an emergency air supply. Also the device has a cavity in it's center through which a person's head may be inserted to keep their head above water and becomes an emergency supply of air.

Abstract: A water safety system to be carried on the person of a water skier. The water safety system occupies a minimal packing envelope and includes a signal flag borne by an extendable flag pole. The flag and flag pole assembly are readily accessible to the skier and permit rapid display of the signal flag when a skier enters the water. Weighted floatation devices maintain the signal flag displayed above the water when the pole is unattended.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus, for use with conventional diving equipment or other self-contained breathing apparatus, having a body portion (34) and a noisemaker portion (32). The body portion (34) includes a first opening (42) therethrough communicating with a connection for a first hose (14) from an air tank. The body portion (34) includes another opening (50) in fluid communication with the first opening in which is positioned a guide element (68). A movable stem element (75) is positioned within said guide element (68). A bore (64) extends between the second opening (50) and the noisemaker portion (32) in which a horn bell (84) supported by a diaphragm (94) are positioned. A button (80) is connected to the stem element (75) and is biased in one position by a spring (82). Actuation of the button (80) results in fluid communication between the first opening (42) in the body portion (34) and the noisemaker portion (32), further resulting in an audible alarm.

Abstract: A device for the prevention of drowning accidents based on the principle of underwater acoustic transmission consists in equipping an acoustic transmitter which communicates with at least one hydrophone placed at the bottom of the water, the hyrophone being connected to an alarm or to adapted rescue means.

Abstract: A self elevating signalling device for water skiers makes them more visible if and when they fall off their skies into the water. The device comprises an enlarged visual luminescent marker comprising an outer guide tube and a buoyant tube freely mounted inside the guide tube secured to a flotation jacket and positioned in a vertical position when the fallen skier is in the water. The guide tube has an opening formed therein below the surface of the water permitting the guide tube to fill with water causing the buoyant tube to rise inside the guide tube. The length of the buoyant tube is such that the water inside the guide tube lifts the buoyant tube above the head of the person wearing the flotation jacket enabling rescuers to locate him.

Abstract: An inflatable life preserver that is made from a gas impervious material in a generally rectangular shape with a closed chamber. A valve is connected thereto for inflating the chamber. The life preserver has fasteners to retain the life preserver into an annular shape that encompasses the wearer around the chest as a chest support. Such fasteners include a strap that extends over the shoulder and a safety snaps for the front of the chest with provisions for quickly releasing the fasteners. Positive flotations are provided in the chamber and provide buoyancy to the weaver. Such positive flotations include closed cell pads and an open cell pad wherein the latter in its compressed condition is a leak detector indicator when the life preserver is in a deflated condition.

Abstract: A life-saving device for protection against drowning, the device incorporating buoyancy apparatus for holding the potential drowning victim and an attached transmitter above water. A receiver and alarm device converts the signal from the transmitter into audio and visual alarms which summon help.

Abstract: An automatically activated device to increase the visibility of a person floating in the water which utilizes an inflatable flag assembly lying within a circular housing which is pivotally connected to a plate. Straps threaded through the plate are used to fasten the device to the body. When the wearer enters the water the flag assembly rises through the housing due to its own buoyancy and the banner portion of the flag remains above the head of the wearer. The pivotal connections maintain the flag assembly in the vertical posture even as the wearer bobs in the water.

Abstract: A safety device for locating an individual fallen into the sea includes a visual indicator in the form of a dye and an intermittently operated lamp (3), and a radio transmitter (9) for transmitting a radio signal. The dye is contained in a vessel (4) having a trap door and control circuits (12) are provided having a power source (5) and automatically operated by a water sensitive microswitch (10) to open the trap door of the dye vessel (9), energize the intermittent lamp (3) and energize the radio transmitter (9), all of the components being integral with a helmet (1) worn by the individual. A radio receiver may also be provided on a boat for receiving signals transmitted from the radio device and guiding the boat to the radio device.

Abstract: An audible signalling system is provided for us by divers or the like to provide a relatively loud audible signal which can be used to indicate diver position, to signal distress, etc. The preferred system utilizes an air horn carried by the diver and adapted for connection to a pressurized air supply carried by the diver for breathing purposes. When the air horn is connected to the air supply, the horn can be operated to produce a loud audio signal of substantial range which can be heard relatively easily over ambient noise such as wind, water and/or boat noise. In one form, a sonic oscillator for use in underwater signalling is also included.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator includes detachable pockets which are removably attached to one or more flaps of the buoyancy compensator. The pockets can have different colors, designs, or indicia so that the appearance of the buoyancy compensator can be varied as desired. Each pocket includes a hook and loop fastener which can be attached to a hook and loop fastener on the associated strap.

Abstract: The device has a source of acoustic signals placed beneath the hull of the boat, a beacon, an alarm pack worn by the navigator around the neck. If the navigator falls overboard, an acoustic sensor built into the pack detects the emission of the source and actuates the jettisoning of the beacon by remote control. This beacon has a measuring head fitted out with a directional acoustic sensor and a compass capable of computing information on the position of the beacon, transmitted by radio to a control box fixed in the boat. As the beacon is supposed to be near the castaway or man overboard, he is thus found.

Abstract: A water safety system to be carried on the person of a water skier. The water safety system occupies a minimal packing envelope and includes a signal flag borne by an extendable flag pole. The flag and flag pole assembly are readily accessible to the skier and permit rapid display of the signal flag when a skier enters the water. Weighted floatation devices maintain the signal flag displayed above the water when the pole is unattended.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the safety and location of individuals includes a portable transceiver worn by each individual and a base control unit for sending interrogation signals to the individual units. The interrogation signals are transmitted through both air and water, and the individual units transmit a response through the medium through which the interrogation signal was received. The base unit measures both the elapsed time from transmission to reception and the incoming phase angles of the response signal, and converts these measurements to indications of distance and angle between the base unit and the individual transceivers.

Abstract: A warning flag for skiers includes a flexible mast attached to the skier's life jacket at the approximate center of the jacket's rear portion. The flexible mast extends upwardly from the life jacket for a substantial distance beyond the highest point of the skiers head and terminates in a high visibility warning flag at its upper end.

Abstract: A personal flotation device for protecting the life of an infant human has a support housing with a back rest, a seat portion, and side wings co-extensive with each. A protective hood is pivotally mounted from the upper portion of the backrest wings. A support stand having a ballast weight contained at the lower end thereof is pivotally mounted from the area joining the backrest and set portion of the device. This permits accurate adjustment for various sizes and weights of children with whom the device is designed to be used. Appropriate signalling and attention attracting apparatus is also incorporated with this device. Also, a shoulder harness, seat belt, crotch belt and adjusting buckles therefor are provided.

Abstract: A personal flotation device for use in emergency situations. The device includes an elongate, flotable stream member that increases the visibility of the individual wearing the device to thereby increase the probability that rescuers will visually sight the individual. The streamer member is stored in a rolled configuration in a compartment of a waist belt and is deployed when buoyancy-providing air bag members are inflated. A plurality of collapsed air bag members are stored in as many compartments of the belt, and they are inflated by gaseous fluids when ring members associated with gas-filled cartridge members are pulled by the individual at the time the water is entered.

Abstract: A liquid immersion alarm is shown having a remote transmitter activated by a water immersion switch to generate an alarm signal. The alarm signal is received by a receiver that activates an alarm. Immersion of the transmitter and its immersion switch momentarily into water will not set off a false alarm due to a delay circuit associated with the transmitter. Once immersed, entrapped air will not interrupt the delay circuit from setting off the alarm due to a second delay circuit.

Abstract: An automatic trippling rescue system is intended to rapidly and automatically make a rescued person integral with a rescue link (2). It is essentially comprised of a mobile inflatable sleeve (6), the axial displacement of which around the forearm of the rescued person and then the inflation thereof are automatically tripped by the mere grasping of a handle (23).This system applies to rescue at sea, in mountains, holes, crevasses, etc.

Abstract: A signal device for attachment to the flotation vest of a water skier to permit the skier to be more readily detected when in the water. The signal device includes a telescoping flag member and a support member to support the telescoping flag member in an upright manner. The support member has attachment devices such as cloth hook and loop fasteners to fasten the support member to the flotation vest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lifesaving ring having a buoyant ring means with gripping sections which are sized for convenient grasp in the hand of a thrower. The plurality of gripping sections are preferably each sized differently so that different persons can have a properly sized gripping section for accurate throwing of the lifesaving ring. A grab line is connected about the outer circumference of the lifesaving ring using grab line connectors. Inter-grip sections are positioned between the gripping sections and extend inwardly in order to increase flotation of the lifesaving ring. The gripping sections are preferably color coded for easy identification during times of emergency.

Abstract: A safety flotation device comprising an emergency rescue and life saving buoy for boats which is formed of a flotation body having a ring-type, hollow plastic body generally filled with lightweight plastic foam and which also includes compartments for tethering lines, flares, beacon light and the like. The device is also provided with hand grips and hand grip ropes around the sides of the flotation body. All lines are secured to the body and tether lines include hooks or clips. The compartment for flares is covered.

Abstract: An emergency rescue assembly comprising a container attachable to a boat so as to overhang the water, with an automatically inflatable location or flotation device stored in the container. The container is readily opened by a pull on a release so that the device falls into the water and automatically inflates.

Abstract: A signal device for indicating, by day or by night, the location of a person adrift on the surface of a body of water, consisting of a vividly colored inflatable tube made of thin, flexible but nearly inextensible material, provided with a one-way valve for inflation by mouth, and a miniature electric lamp coupled to a water-activated battery. The tube is permanently attached to a life jacket or other garment and has a flag secured to its free end. The tube or the flag or both contain a metallic pigment or are covered with a layer of such material so as to be radar detectable.