Personal flotation assembly with protective shell

A protective personal flotation assembly, comprising:

• a flotation device having an open interior;
• the flotation device comprising a buoyant structure;
• a protective shell secured to a lower portion of the flotation device;
• the protective shell having a perimeter sidewall and a lower surface forming an open interior;
• the protective shell further having an open upper disposed below the open interior of the flotation device;
• a spiral expansion spring disposed within the sidewall of the protective shell;
• the spiral expansion spring having a coiled structure, an extended length, and an open interior;
• the sidewall of the protective shell comprising a flexible structure and the spiral expansion spring having a compressed state and an extended state;
• whereby in the compressed state, the spiral expansion spring is compressed towards the lower portion of the flotation device;
• whereby in the extended state, the spiral expansion spring extends downward from the lower portion of the flotation device;
• the extended length of the compressed state being less than the extended length of the extended state;
• wherein the spiral expansion spring is disposed within a sheath that extends around and is affixed to the sidewall of the protective shell.