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A method to make flotation apparel (100), the method comprising:

• configuring a t-shirt shaped water sport apparel item, comprising an inner base rash guard (105) that is configured to encircle and be in contact with an upper torso of a user and an outer rash guard (110) having an inside surface and an outside surface that is configured to be in contact with an aquatic environment, wherein the inner base rash guard (105) is sewn to the outer rash guard (110) along respective edges to define a head hole at a top, a right arm hole, a left arm hole, an open bottom and a void between the inner base rash guard (105) and the outer rash guard (110), wherein the head hole defines an uninterrupted edge formed by stitching along respective upper edges of the inner base rash guard (105) and the outer rash guard (110), and wherein the open bottom is formed by stitching along respective lower edges of the inner base rash guard (105) and the outer rash guard (110);
• configuring an inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (700) comprising a bladder having a valve mechanically connected to an inflation trigger (120) and an inflation tube, said PFD (700) located over a portion of an inside front of the inner base rash guard (105) across a shoulder area of the inner base rash guard (105), encircling a back of the head hole, within the void and sewn to the inside front of the inner base rash guard (105) between the inner base rash guard (105) and the inside front of the outer rash guard (110), wherein the PFD when inflated remains fully enclosed within the void;
• and
• configuring a plurality of slots comprising at least one PFD access slot (115) and at least one inflation tube access slot (125), wherein the plurality of slots traverse the outer rash guard (110) from the outside surface to the inside surface of the outer rash guard (110), wherein the at least one inflation tube access slot (125) provides the user access to the inflation tube, and wherein the inflation tube is configured to permit the user to manually inflate the PFD (700) by exhalation.

A kit for a flotation apparel (100) apparatus comprising:

• a t-shirt shaped water sport apparel item, comprising an inner base rash guard (105) that is configured to encircle and be in contact with an upper torso of a user and an outer rash guard (110) having an inside surface and an outside surface that is configured to be in contact with an aquatic environment, wherein the inner base rash guard (105) is sewn to the outer rash guard (110) along respective edges to define a head hole at a top, a right arm hole, a left arm hole, an open bottom and a void between the inner base rash guard (105) the outer rash guard (110), wherein the head hole defines an uninterrupted edge formed by stitching along respective upper edges of the inner base rash guard (105) and the outer rash guard (110), and wherein the open bottom is formed by stitching along respective lower edges of the inner base rash guard (105) and the outer rash guard (110), and a plurality of slots comprising at least one Personal Flotation Device (PFD) access slot (115) and at least one inflation tube access slot (125), wherein the plurality of slots traverse the outer rash guard (110) from the outside surface to the inside surface of the outer rash guard (110), wherein the at least one inflation tube access slot (125) provides the user access to the inflation tube, and wherein the inflation tube is configured to permit the user to manually inflate the PFD (700) by exhalation;
• an inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (700) comprising a bladder having a valve mechanically connected to an inflation trigger and an inflation tube, said PFD (700) configured to be located over a portion of an inside front of the inner base rash guard (105) across a shoulder area of the inner base rash guard (105), encircling a back of the head hole, within the void and sewn to the inside front of the inner base rash guard (105) between the inner base rash guard (105) and the inside front of the outer rash guard (110), wherein the PFD when inflated remains fully enclosed within the void;
• a light (140) that automatically illuminates when the apparatus is in contact with water configured to attach to the outer rash guard (110);
• and
• a whistle (160) configured to attach to the flotation apparel (100) item.