Patent ID: 7988511
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
1. Freediving safety apparatus for transport by a freediver user during an underwater dive, said apparatus comprising: a refillable inflation source in the form of a container for carrying a supply of compressed gas; a buoyancy portion in the form of a flotation device coupled to said container for inflation from said container upon the occurrence of one or more selected events; a plurality of sensors which are individually responsive to the occurrence of corresponding ones of said selected events; at least one valve coupled between said container and said flotation device for controlling the transfer of gas to said flotation device, said at least one valve being responsive to an activating signal; and a control unit in operable communication with said sensors and said valve, said control unit issuing said activating signal in response to a sensor signaling the occurrence of one of said selected events, in order to inflate said flotation device to bring the freediver to a surface of a body of water in a face up position; wherein said control unit further comprises internal polling to detect malfunction of said apparatus and consequently prevent use of the apparatus.