Scuba gear with combined flotation and transport device

Scuba gear for use by divers and the like for carrying a compressed air tank to provide an underwater source of air, comprising

• backpack means for securing the tank to the diver, said backpack means comprising quick release means for permitting the diver to rapidly free himself of the tank,
• a buoyancy compensator adapted for relatively close fitting engagement about the upper torso of the diver, said backpack means being adapted for firmly securing the tank on the upper torso of the diver while allowing said buoyancy compensator to be inflated and deflated on the diver, said backpack means comprising a plurality of elongated straps adapted for passage around the upper torso of the diver, said quick release means being separately connected to said backpack means for releasable engagement with said elongated straps to secure said backpack means and the tank in place upon the diver's upper torso, said elongated straps being adapted for threaded passage through said vest type buoyancy compensator in order to permit said backpack means and said tank to be readily separated from the diver and said buoyancy compensator upon operation of said quick release means, said buoyancy compensator comprising inflatable means arranged adjacent the diver's waist and chest, said buoyancy compensator further comprising a flat panel covering a portion of the diver's back and interconnected with said inflatable means for securing them in place upon the divers upper torso, said back panel being formed with openings for receiving said elongated staps of said backpack means in order to permit secure attachment of said backpack means to the upper torso of the diver, said openings in said back panel also being adapted for facilitating passage of said elongated straps therethrough to facilitate freeing the diver from the tank and said backpack,
• an inflatable transport raft suitable for supporting the diver out of the water,
• means for securing said transport raft to the tank,
• means operable by the diver for inflating said transport raft, and
• releasable means for maintaining said transport raft in compact and gathered form on the tank when deflated in order to facilitate the diver's underwater use of the tank with said deflated transport raft secured thereto, said releasable means being operable for allowing said transport raft to open as it is inflated, said transport raft thereupon proving flotation means for the tank when said quick release means is operated for freeing the tank from the diver, said inflated transport raft also providing transport means for the diver on the surface of the water.