Avalanche flotation ball

In survival equipment, a protective and buoyant device which is worn around the waist in a belt pack, in its uninflated condition, the belt pack having a detachably attached belt means and a cover means to hold ready the device prior to deployment, and which comprises a plurality of concentric spheres having a plurality of exit enclosure means, said concentric spheres including inner and outer sphere walls of flexibly impervious materials defining an inflatable and airtight space therebetween, partitioning means in said space limiting the separation of the inner sphere and outer sphere walls, said concentric spheres being so constructed and arranged to totally enclose and isolate an occupant upon inflation of the device from any environment outside the device, said belt means being fixedly attached to the inner sphere wall and also being removably connected to the user for securing his position relative to the spheres upon any acceleration or deceleration of the device, and pressure means operatively connected to said spheres for introducing a gas into said space under a pressure substantially in excess of ambient pressure whereby said spheres are forcefully expanded to a generally spherical configuration, said pressure also tending to maintain the generally spherical configuration against any deforming forces, whereby the user of the device is cushioned and protected while remaining buoyant.