Visible floatation device

Abstract

An apparatus for the detection of a person afloat in the water includes a garment portion that is worn by the person. The garment portion preferably includes an inflatable vest. An actuation mechanism detects immersion in the water, preferably at a predetermined depth, and then automatically inflates the vest by puncturing or opening a first container and releasing a gas therein. A balloon is also attached to the vest and is also inflated by the gas of the first container providing the gas in the first container is a lighter-than-air type of a gas that is able to cause the balloon to rise in the air. A tether secures the balloon to the vest. If the gas in the first container is not suitable for filling the balloon, a second container is used that contains the desired lighter-than-air gas and it is also either punctured or otherwise opened by the actuation mechanism so as to inflate the balloon. The balloon automatically releases apart from the vest upon inflation and rises the length of the tether above the person. Devices to manually inflate the vest and the balloon are also described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.