Surface Flotation Device for Cold-Water Aviation Survivors

We propose to evaluate concepts for a body-mounted single-place inflatable life preserver/liferaft combination, one that eliminates the need for the aviator to carry two separate devices, thereby saving considerable weight, bulk and complexity. This hybrid device can act alone as an inflatable life preserver for the wearer, provding necessary flotation buoyancy. The underarm style inflatable provides optimal flotation attitude and further allows for easy conversion from life preserver to liferaft as needed. This conversion is effected by simply zipping two floor halves together between the legs of the wearer, then subsequently orally inflating a canopy arch tube and then unfurling the raft canopy and easily securing it closed.