Patent ID: 8672720

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a swim assist vest having a back portion; and a handle subassembly including a rescue handle and a flange, the rescue handle having a surface substantially oriented along a first plane and the flange having a surface substantially oriented along a second plane, the second plane being substantially perpendicular to the first plane, the rescue handle extending substantially perpendicular relative to the back portion in a fixed position, the flange being coupled to the back portion of the swim assist vest such that a weight of a wearer is supported when the rescue handle is pulled, the back portion of the swim assist vest includes at least a portion formed of an inner layer and an outer layer of fabric and a flotation panel located between the outer layer of fabric and the inner layer of fabric, the outer layer of fabric having an opening, a portion of the rescue handle is received through the opening such that at least a portion of the flange is disposed between a portion of the outer layer of fabric and a portion of the inner layer.