Abstract:
Apparatus for helping a person survive on a cold body of water includes a suit capable of covering at least a substantial portion of the user&#39;s body while allowing the user to move and work out of water. An inflatable raft is provided to hold and support the person on water when the raft has been inflated. The raft in a deflated state is foldable into a compact configuration and is sufficiently light in weight to be carried on a back of the person out of water. There is a raft holder adapted to hold the raft in its compact state and adapted for carrying on the suit. The raft can be tethered to the suit or the raft holder.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates to cold water survival suits and life rafts. 
         [0002]    Survival (or immersion) suits are known in the prior art and are commonly found, for example, on fishing vessels, to protect fisherman from the effects of cold water exposure should they go overboard. However known suits are normally only suitable for keeping a person warm for a relatively short period of time, which may be insufficient to permit rescue. 
         [0003]    Inflatable rafts are known and are in common use, including rafts which will inflate automatically. One such inflatable raft is packed in a separable, two-piece rigid container. In order to deploy this known raft, the container is tossed into the water and a lanyard extending from the raft is yanked to activate a carbon dioxide cylinder valve to inflate the raft. Inflation will then enlarge the raft to separate the container sections and release the raft ready for use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Forming one aspect of the invention is apparatus for use by a person required to work in conditions which expose the person to a threat of immersion in a cold water body. This apparatus comprises a raft and a raft holder. The raft has: an inflated state in which it, in use, floats atop said water body and holds and supports said person above said water body; and a deflated state in which it can be packed into a compact configuration. The raft holder, in use, is carried on the back of said person and is adapted to hold said raft when in said compact configuration. 
         [0005]    According to other aspects of the invention, the apparatus can further comprise a survival suit which, in use, covers at least a substantial portion of the body of said person while allowing said person to perform said work at least when out of said water body, and to move and swim when in said water body. The suit can be buoyant in said water body. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can further comprise a tether in the form of a flexible line which is adapted to operatively couple the raft to the raft holder. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus can further comprise a tether in the form of a flexible line which is adapted to couple the raft either to the raft holder or the survival suit. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect of the invention, said raft, when inflated and in use, can: be circular in top plan view; have an annular tube portion floating on the water body; have upper and lower flexible layers, each of said upper and lower layers being connected to said tube portion, the upper layer supporting said person above said lower layer and above the water body, and include a substantially conical cover portion operatively connected to said layers to form a substantially conical chamber containing said person. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the invention, the lower layer can be imperforate and seal the opening defined by the tube portion. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the invention, the upper layer can be at least substantially imperforate. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, the lower layer can have a flexible line extending therefrom, through the upper layer, and the upper layer can have a clamp for releasably, securely receiving the flexible line, to permit the lower layer to present a downwardly-facing, generally concave surface. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, the raft can comprise a system for causing said raft to assume the inflated state in said water body. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the invention, the system can comprise a supply of pressurized gas which is released to cause the raft to assume the inflated state. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the invention, the system can comprise a valve system which automatically releases the pressurized gas when exposed to said water body; and the valve system can be positioned on the raft to permit it to be exposed to said water body when the raft is released from the raft holder. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the invention, the raft holder can have a rip cord for releasing the raft. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the invention, the raft holder can be integrally connected to the survival suit. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the invention, the cover portion can include inner and outer walls, sealed to one another to form a bladder which, when inflated, causes the cover portion to assume said substantially conical shape. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the invention: the valve system can comprise one or more valves, each of said one or more valves, in use, being immersed in the water body on the underside of the tube portion; each of said one or more valves can form part of a respective compressed gas inflator; and a tube system can be coupled to each of said one or more valves, the tube system including tubing which leads from said one or more valves to the interior of the tube portion and the bladder, the tubing having perforations through which the compressed gas enters the tube portion and the bladder. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the invention, each inflator can be supported in use otherwise than by the valve so as to avoid fatigue at the seal which could otherwise result in leakage. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the invention, each inflator can include a replaceable compressed gas canister. 
         [0021]    These and, other aspects of the disclosed apparatus will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the latter being described hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a person fitted with apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this view showing the front and right side, with a throat zipper shown closed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the subject of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of encircled area  3  of  FIG. 1 , with the throat zipper shown open position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of encircled area  4 A of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a view similar to  FIG. 4A  with a zipper fastener revealed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4C  is a view similar to  FIG. 4B  with the zipper fastener separated and a glove part separated from a sleeve portion of the suit; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4D  is a view similar to  FIG. 4C , with the glove part of  FIG. 4C  secured to the sleeve portion of  FIG. 4C  by a hook and loop fastener; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of encircled area  5 A of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a view similar to  FIG. 5A  with a zipper fastener revealed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5C  is a view similar to  FIG. 5B  with the zipper fastener separated and a boot part separated from a leg portion of the suit; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5D  is a view similar to  FIG. 5C , with the boot part of  FIG. 5C  secured to the leg portion of  FIG. 5C  by a hook and loop fastener; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the holder in the release position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , with a raft being withdrawn out of the holder; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , with the holder emptied; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , with the person immersed in a body of water and the raft to one side and in a deflated configuration; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9 , with the raft in the process of inflation; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the raft in the inflated configuration, with the access door secured closed; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 11 , with the access door open and showing the person in the process of entering the raft; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , with the access door closed and the person, illustrated in phantom, sitting in the raft and gripping the handles; 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  is a view showing  FIG. 2  in combination with a raincoat, boots and gloves; 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is a view along section  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a side view of encircled structure  17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of encircled structure  17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19  is a view of encircled structure  19  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is a top view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 21  is a left view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 22  is a front view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 23  is a right view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24  is a rear view of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the structure identified with bracket  25  of  FIG. 16 , showing how a flexible line can be used to adjust the shape of the bottom of the life raft; 
           [0052]      FIG. 26  is a partial view along section  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 , showing a clamp portion in a closed position; 
           [0053]      FIG. 27  is a view similar to  FIG. 26 , showing the clamp portion in an open position; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 28  is a view similar to  FIG. 11  showing another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    A person wearing an exemplary embodiment of apparatus  30  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1  and will be seen to include, as main components, a suit  32 , a raft holder  34  and, in phantom, an inflatable raft  36 . Each of these components are discussed in more detail below, but as an initial matter, it will be understood that raft  36  and raft holder  34  are sufficiently light-weight and, as shown in  FIG. 1 , compact, and the suit  32  is sufficiently flexible, form-fitting and light-weight, to enable the user to move and to work and to carry on other activities out of water, for example on the deck of a boat such as fishing vessel. Also, if the person is forced to jump into or is otherwise immersed into a cold body of water, movement and swimming in the water will be possible. 
         [0056]    The illustrated and exemplary suit  32  will be seen to include a main part  38 , a pair of glove parts  40  and a pair of boot parts  42 . The main part  38  covers the trunk, legs and arms of the user, and all of the head of the user but for a section of the face including the eye area. The glove parts  40  cover the user&#39;s hands and the boot parts  42  cover the user&#39;s feet. 
         [0057]    The boot parts  42  have ribbed undersides  44 , to provide traction to the wearer, for example, on the deck of a fishing vessel; the boot parts  42  will also be understood to protect the feet of a user in the manner of conventional work boots. 
         [0058]    The main part  38  is provided with a diagonally extending, waterproof zipper  46  which extends across the chest area from one shoulder to about the waistline, and a vertically extending, waterproof throat zipper  48  is provided. 
         [0059]    It will be understood that with zippers  46 , 48  open, a person will be able to introduce his or her legs into and through the legs  50  of the suit and into the boot parts  42 , his or her arms into and through the arms  52  of the suit and into the glove parts  40 , and his or her head into the head  54  of the suit, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    Wrist  56  and ankle  58  extensions are provided, at the junctions of the main part  38  of the suit with the glove  40  and boot  42  parts. These extensions  56 , 58  take the form of neoprene tubes joined by ultrasonic welding to the glove  40  and boot  42  parts which can be withdrawn, as shown by the sequences of  4 A, 4 B and  5 A, 5 B, to reveal waterproof zippers  60 , 62 . The extensions  56 , 58 , when drawn over zippers  60 , 62 , provide a further watertight seal, and also protect zippers  60 , 62  against damage and unintended operation. 
         [0061]    The zippers  60 , 62  removably join the glove  40  and boot  42  parts to the main part  38 . 
         [0062]    As indicated by sequences  4 B, 4 C and  5 B, 5 C, the glove  40  and boot  42  parts can be unzipped and removed from the main part  38 , and removed from the feet and hands of the person, when he or she is resting or otherwise not in need of the protection/comfort afforded by these parts of the suit. 
         [0063]    So as to avoid loss of the glove  40  and boot  42  parts, strap connectors  64 , 66  are provided for each of the glove  40  and boot  42  parts, these connectors  64 , 66  being non-removably connected to secure its respective glove  40  or boot  42  to an adjacent surface of the main part  38  of the suit when the glove  40  or boot  42  part has been unzipped and removed from a respective hand or foot of the user. 
         [0064]    Hook  68  and loop  70  strip connectors are secured to each of the glove  40  and boot  42  parts, and to adjacent arm  52  and legs  50  of the suit, so that, when a glove  40  or boot  42  part has been removed, it can be secured against dangling, as indicated by  FIGS. 4D and 5D . 
         [0065]    The throat region of the suit  12  is illustrated open in  FIG. 3 , wherein it will be seen that an extra V-shaped piece of material  71  is provided which extends the length of the throat zipper  48  and tapers downwardly. Each vertical edge of this strip  71  of material is attached to a respective side of the opening created by unzipping the zipper  48 . When the zipper  48  is closed, the neck area of the user is substantially sealed from the ingress of water. Material  71  protects the neck of the user from the throat zipper  48 . 
         [0066]    The precise manner of construction of the suit  32  is not detailed herein, as (i) the manner in which suits of this type are constructed is well-known to persons of ordinary skill in the art and (ii) the suit will be constructed in a manner which is dependent to some extent on the water temperatures and working conditions likely to be encountered by the user. However, generally, it will be understood that the suit  32  will be constructed in the manner of a survival suit, of the type worn, for example, by fishermen when working on deck in cold water conditions. In some applications, 4.5-5.0 mm neoprene foam will be useful for the construction of the main part, the glove parts and the uppers of the boot parts. A suitable foam is Double Cell L Foam sold by Macro International Company. 
         [0067]    It is contemplated that the suit  32  will normally be worn as shown in  FIG. 14 . In this illustration, it will be seen that the suit  32  is worn underneath a raincoat  194  and oversized conventional boots  196 . A suitable material for the raincoat  184  is PVC-coated cotton. The raincoat  194  has an aperture  198 , with an elastic binding  200 , through which the raft holder  34  can protrude, so as to maintain comfort. Conventional work gloves  202  are also used, with the glove parts  40  of the suit concealed within the sleeves of the suit as indicated in  FIG. 4D . This arrangement protects the suit  32  from wear, pin-holing, etc., that might otherwise relatively quickly occur in use; the coat  194 , boots  196  and gloves  202  can be selected by the user for the task at hand, and discarded once worn, as is conventionally done. The coat  194 , boots  196  and gloves  202  will normally be discarded in the case of immersion. This will preferably occur prior to immersion, i.e. in circumstances wherein co-workers can readily help one another remove gloves, boots and jackets, but this can also take place following immersion. Although not shown, it will also be understood that engineered garments can and will normally be worn under the suit as well, for enhanced comfort and protection. The nature of these under-suit garments is obvious to persons of ordinary skill and is not detailed herein for this reason. 
         [0068]    Turning now to the construction of the holder  34  and with reference to FIGS.  1 , 2 , the illustrated holder  34  is in the form of a back pack adapted to hold the raft  36  in a compact configuration. In the exemplary and illustrated embodiment, the holder  34  comprises a sidewall  72 , a pair of rear flaps  74  and a cover flap  76 . 
         [0069]    The sidewall  72  and the rear flaps  74  are secured to the back of the suit to define a compartment having a rear aperture ( 78 , indicated in phantom) and a split rear wall  80 , and the cover flap  76  overlies the aperture  78  and is secured to the rear wall  80  by a horseshoe-shaped hook  82  and loop  84  fastener set (shown in phantom). The aperture  78  occupies substantially all of the rear wall  80  but for that portion occupied by the hook  82  and loop  84  fastener, so as to maximize the size of the opening  78 . 
         [0070]    The manner of construction of a structure of this type is a manner of routine to persons of ordinary skill. Accordingly, details of construction are neither required nor provided. However, one possible methodology of construction involves double scrim Thinsulate™ laminated under pressure between Duralar™ plastic sheeting, and secured by stitching to a layer of 11.5 oz marine polyester. 
         [0071]    This structure can be cut, press-formed, stitched and glued to form the sidewalls and rear flaps. The cover flap can also be constructed out of 11.5 oz marine polyester and stitched to the rear wall. Importantly, the backpack will be contoured, so as to avoid snags with doorways and the like, and for general user comfort while working and at rest. 
         [0072]    A rip cord arrangement is also provided, and includes a tube of nylon fabric  86  traversing the shoulder of the suit, and a nylon-coated stainless steel wire  88  extending from the free end of the cover flap  76  to a two-finger pull handle  90  disposed on the shoulder of the suit. Again, numerous variations on this structure will be routine to persons of ordinary skill, but Delrin™ is noted to be a possible substrate for the pull handle  90 . 
         [0073]    In the event that the user of the suit wishes to gain access to the raft  36 , he or she pulls the handle  90 , as indicated by  FIG. 6 . This causes the hook  82  and loop  84  fastener to release, and separates the cover flap  76  from the rear flaps  74 , to release the raft  36 ; the user may reach behind his or her back, to pull the raft from the holder, as indicated by  FIG. 7 , but this will not always or usually be required. 
         [0074]    As indicated by  FIGS. 8-9 , the raft  36  is tethered to the holder  34  (and thus indirectly to the suit  32 ) by a length of ⅛″ marine cord  92 . It will be understood the purpose of the tether line  92  is to prevent the user from being separated from the raft  36 , which might otherwise occur in rough seas. The tether  92  could equally be tethered directly to the suit. 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the tether  92  is attached to the inside of the holder  34  by means of carabiner  94  which secures an eye connector  96  of the tether line  92  to a swivel connector  98  secured to the interior of the holder  34 . 
         [0076]    The user is able to unclip the tether line  92  from the holder  34  by reaching towards the back of the suit and disconnecting the carabiner  94 . The other end of the tether line  92  is connected to the raft  36  by another eye connector  96 /carabiner  94 /swivel hook  98  combination. This helps prevent entanglement and twisting of the line. 
         [0077]    With the release of the raft  36  from the holder  34  into a body of cold water, a compressed gas system, detailed in further paragraphs, will cause the raft to become inflated, as indicated by the sequence of  FIGS. 9-11 , the raft  36  being shown fully inflated in  FIG. 11 . That is, the raft  36  is of the throw-overboard type. The raft  36  itself is novel, but the construction of throw-overboard rafts is a matter of routine to persons of ordinary skill. Accordingly, details of construction are not required, nor are they provided below otherwise than as a matter of convenience in this description. 
         [0078]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , the raft  36  will seen to be circular in plan view when inflated, and composed of: a substantially conical portion  100  forming an upper portion of raft  36  in use; a tube portion  102  extending around the base of the conical portion  100 ; a floor portion, indicated in phantom by  104  occluding the aperture in tube portion  102  to form an interior compartment, indicated in phantom by  105 ; and a tongue portion  106 . 
         [0079]    The tube  102  and tongue  106  portions are made from urethane-coated rubber, welded together in a conventional manner, to form a structure which, when inflated with gas such as carbon dioxide, has sufficient buoyancy to support the conical portion  100 , the floor portion  104  and the user in water. Distributed evenly about the circumference of the tube portion  102  of the raft  36  are loop connectors  108  which are firmly connected in a sealing, waterproof manner to the tube portion  102 . A suitable connection methodology involves a strip of fabric  110  into which a D-ring connector  108  is sewn and which is secured through adhesive to the tube portion  102 . 
         [0080]    The floor portion  104  comprises upper  112  and lower  114  panels made out of neoprene rubber. Each of these panels  112 , 114  is sealingly connected about its perimeter by adhesive to the tube portion  102 . The lower panel  114  is substantially imperforate, to minimize cold water infiltration into the compartment  105 . The upper panel  112  is adapted to support the user above the lower panel  114  to help keep the user warm and is of cruciform shape, i.e. is defined by an open web, to minimize weight. The top surface of the upper panel  112  is provided with at least several hand holds  116 . One possible method for forming hand holds  116  involves securing grommets through the upper panel  112 , fitting the ends of a length of marine binding through the grommets from the topside of the upper panel, and tying knots beneath the upper panel in the ends of the binding material. 
         [0081]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  16  and  19 - 24 , the upper conical portion  100  of the raft has a main body  118 , a dome assembly  120 , windows  122  and an access panel  124 . 
         [0082]    The main body  118  is defined by inner  126  and outer  128  flexible walls, sealed to one another so as to define a bladder  129  which supports the main body  118  in a generally frustoconical shape when inflated by gas such as carbon dioxide, and are sealed to the tube portion  102  by welding or adhesive via intermediate foam rubber connector  127 . The generally frustoconical shape helps prevent capsizing of the raft  36  by strong winds and waves. The shape also deters these winds from grabbing or buffeting the raft in a manner which would lift it off of the surface of the water. 840d polyurethane-coated nylon is a suitable material for construction of the inner  126  and outer  128  flexible walls; a combination of ultrasonic Welding with stitching can provide a suitable sealing methodology for rendering an airtight connection between the walls  126 , 128  where required for inflation. 
         [0083]    The inner  126  and outer  128  flexible walls have defined therein an access port  130  and four window ports  132 , the window ports  132  being distributed at 90° intervals around the conical shape and the access port  130  having extending thereto, in the manner of ramp, the tongue portion  106 , when inflated. 
         [0084]    The dome assembly  120  is sealed to the main body  118  by adhesive, to occlude the smaller diameter end of the main body  118 ; a suitable material for the dome assembly is Delrin™ plastic. 
         [0085]    The access panel  124  is defined by an extension of one or both of the flexible walls  126 , 128  of the main body  118  and is shaped and dimensioned to occlude the access port  130  when operatively positioned. A waterproof zipper  134  is secured to the access panel  124  and the main body  118  and operatively positions the access panel  124  in the access port  130  when closed. The zipper  134  is accessible from both inside and outside the compartment  105 . The outer zipper pull (not shown) is relatively large and reflective. A separate, much smaller zipper pull (not shown) is provided on the inner side of the zipper. 
         [0086]    Each window  122  is defined by a layer of transparent, flexible plastic, secured by a combination of stitching and ultrasonic welding to occlude a respective window port  132 . 10 mil Spec plastic is suitable for this purpose. 
         [0087]    Use of the raft  36  is shown in the sequence of  FIGS. 11-13 , wherein it will be seen that the user can use the tether line  92  to draw him or herself and the raft  36  towards one another once in the water. The user then draws the zipper  134  on the access door  124 . The large, reflective surface of the zipper pull facilitates this step. Then, using the handles  116  on the upper layer  112  of the floor  104  nearest the access port  130 , draws him or herself into the compartment  105 . 
         [0088]    The tongue portion  106  facilitates this activity, which would otherwise be more difficult, particularly in rough seas. Once inside, with the door  124  at least partially closed, the tether line  92  can be drawn inside and disconnected, and the user can wait for rescue. In rough seas, the user may grip the handles  116  to avoid being buffeted by the waves, as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0089]    Where a number of users are in contemporaneous use of the apparatus  30 , i.e. if the crew of a vessel were to abandon ship, a preferred outcome would be for the users to tie the rafts  36  to one another, and await rescue. This arrangement of multiple rafts  30  has advantage in terms of rescue, since the collection of rafts  30  should be more easily seen; the rescue of a group of persons from a single location, rather than a variety of locations would normally be simpler; and the presence of multiple rafts  36  tied together lessens the likelihood that all of the rafts  36  would spring leaks and sink, i.e. increases safety. A typical methodology for sea rescue involves swimmers deployed from a helicopter, and a winch-suspended basket which transports the rescuee. It is contemplated that this methodology would continue to be used in the context of the apparatus  30  of the invention. 
         [0090]    Turning now to the aforementioned compressed gas system, these are known and routine in the life raft and life preserver art, and accordingly, a detailed description is deemed unnecessary. As a matter of convenience, only, the system of the exemplary embodiment should be understood, with reference to  FIGS. 16-24  to include a pair of compressed gas inflators  136 , along with tubing  138 , 139  and slings  140 . 
         [0091]    Each inflator  136  includes a flow valve  142 , a foam washer  144 , an inflator body  146  and a compressed gas bottle  148 . A suitable inflator body  146  is sold under the trade-mark PROSENSOR by United Moulders Limited UK. The flow valve  142  has a plastic ring  150  and threaded shafts  152 , 154  extending from both sides of the ring  150 . A nipple  156  extends from one  152  of the threaded shafts and the other  154  threaded shaft has an aperture (not shown) through its sidewall. Two plastic nuts  158 , 160  are also provided. 
         [0092]    The nipple  156  extends through a hole in the bottom wall of the tube portion  102 , and the plastic ring  150  is ultrasonically welded to the surrounding part of tube portion  102 , to provide a sealed connection. One of the plastic nuts  158  is threaded on the shaft  152  from which the nipple extends, to mechanically reinforce the joint, and cemented in place. The foam washer  144  is mounted over the other threaded shaft  154 , followed by the inflator body  146  and then the second plastic nut  160 , to secure the assembly together. The inflator body  146  communicates with the aperture in the threaded shaft, to permit gas communication. The compressed gas bottle  148  is threaded to the inflator body  146 . 
         [0093]    Each of the lengths of tubing  138 , 139  is crimped onto a respective nipple  156  and secured by a locking clamp  162 . As indicated in  FIG. 16 , one of the lengths of tubing  138  passes around the inner periphery of the tube portion  102 ; the other length of tubing  139  leads into the bladder  129  formed in the upper portion  112 . The tubing  138 , 139  is perforated to permit compressed gas to enter the tube portion  102  and the bladder  129 . The perforated tubing ensures that the tube portion  102  and the bladder  129  are not exposed to the extreme cold that would otherwise be created at the output of the inflator [due to the expanding gases] and which could create weakness and fracture. Tubing suitable for the purpose includes that sold by Nexgen under 701-0406102; a suitable perforation protocol involves 2-2.5 mm perforations, distributed at 50 per square inch. 
         [0094]    The slings  140  are defined in part by pieces of fabric  141 . A suitable fabric is 840d polyurethane coated nylon. Two slings are provided for each inflator. Each fabric element  141  has an end secured by adhesive to the tube portion  102  and, in use, traverses underneath a respective end of a respective inflator  136 , to another end which has a pair of grommets  166 . The grommets  166  receive rubber stub pins  168  which protrude from and are secured by adhesive to the outer surface of the tube portion  102 . Headless pins  170  extend through bores in the stub pins  168 , and are secured against retraction by cable ties  172 . The slings  140  support the inflators  136  against the tube portion  102  so as to avoid current-induced stresses on the valves  142  that might otherwise result in leakage. 
         [0095]      FIG. 25  shows an adjusting mechanism that can be provided with the upper  112  and lower  114  panels, to provide to the lower panel  114  a concave shape, to improve stability. In this mechanism, a lanyard line  174  is securely attached at one end to the lower panel  114  and extends through a grommet  176  mounted in the centre of the upper panel  112 . The hole in the grommet  176  has rounded edges so that no catching or fraying of the lanyard line  174  occurs during use. By pulling upwardly on the line  174 , the distance between the two panels  112 , 114  in their central regions can be reduced, thereby increasing the concavity of the lower panel  114 . In order to secure the line  174  in the desired position, a plastic wrapping post  178  and a clamp member  180  are provided. The clamp member  180  is connected to the wrapping post  178  by a pivot pin  182 . The lanyard line  174  can be inserted into a notch  184  in the wrapping post  178  when the clamp member  180  is in the open position shown in  FIG. 27 . The line  174  is secured in place by pivoting the clamp member  180  to the closed position of  FIG. 26   
         [0096]    Another desirable feature for the raft is a water scoop device  188  as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 28 . This device  188 , when released into the water, can help slow down the speed of the raft  36  in heavy water currents and can add to stability. It is anchored to the raft  36  at a location directly opposite the access port  130  to make entering the raft easier  36 . The device  188  can take the form of a panel  190  of strong, flexible material such as nylon, about 18″ square. It is attached to the tube portion  102  of the raft  36  by means of strong, light nylon lines  192 . 
         [0097]    It is desirable and possibly necessary for legal purposes that the apparatus be made at least in part of or otherwise incorporate reflective and/or highly visible material. Appropriate deployment of reflective and/or highly visible material is a matter of routine to persons of ordinary skill in the art and as such further description is neither required nor provided. 
         [0098]    While but three embodiments of the present invention are herein illustrated and described, variations are possible. 
         [0099]    One desirable addition (not shown) is a waterproof GPS beacon, fitted in a pocket of the suit, which can be used to alert the coast guard or other emergency task forces that may be located in the area as to the existence and location of the emergency. 
         [0100]    Another useful addition is a pump (not shown) to permit the user to inflate the life raft if the compressed gas system fails or in the event of a slow leak. In the context of the illustrated embodiment, a preferred arrangement would be a pump, coupled by a length of tubing, to the interior of the tube portion, which could be manipulated by the user from outside the raft, if necessary, and drawn inside the raft for use as necessary. 
         [0101]    An additional desirable feature is the provision, for each air chamber, of at least one overpressure valve, to avoid the risk of over-inflation. These can be secured to the tube portion and bladder in a manner identical to the attachment of the flow valves. A suitable valve is C780RPP175 sold by Halkey-Roberts. 
         [0102]    As well, emergency supplies will advantageously be packed in the interior of the raft. Such supplies (not shown) will include rations, a flash light, one or more de-salt tablets and sea sickness pills. 
         [0103]    In view of these variations, and others which are possible, the invention should be understood as limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.