Flotation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flotation device which can be brought into use during an emergency to assist somebody to stay afloat in water. A flotation device can be carried by a person undertaking water sports. It includes a carrier carrying a float, and the float itself. The carrier is in the form or a pouch or holder which can be attached to the arm or leg of the swimmer. The float is normally in a deflated, non-buoyant state held by the carrier. When the swimmer wishes to bring the float into use, he pulls it out of the carrier and inflates it.

1 . A flotation device, comprising a flotation means and a carrier member for the flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in a non-buoyant state, the flotation means being transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
     
     
         2 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 1 , a flotation being device being small enough to be attached to and carried by a single limb of the user when the flotation means is in the non-buoyant state.  
     
     
         3 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the carrier member includes an attachment means arranged to attach the flotation device to an arm or leg of the user.  
     
     
         4 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 2 , the carrier member including attachment means arranged to enable attachment of the device to the waist of a user.  
     
     
         5 . A flotation device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further including a connecting means arranged to connect the carrier member to the flotation means, when the flotation means is in the buoyant state.  
     
     
         6 . A flotation device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the flotation means comprising a resiliently flexible chamber fillable with a fluid of lower density than water.  
     
     
         7 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 6 , the flexible chamber including a valve enabling a user to inject fluid into the chamber.  
     
     
         8 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 6 , the chamber filling means in the form of a gas supply means being provided to automatically fill the chamber with fluid on operation.  
     
     
         9 . A flotation means arranged to be retained in a non-buoyant state in a carrier member, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer, and the flotation means being transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
     
     
         10 . A carrier member for a flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in a non-buoyant state, wherein the flotation means is transferable to a buoyant state when required.  
     
     
         11 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carrier member is made from soft material.  
     
     
         12 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the carrier member includes drainage holes to enable water to drain out.  
     
     
         13 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 1 , including an alarm device enabling a user to raise an alarm.  
     
     
         14 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the alarm is a whistle.  
     
     
         15 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 1 , including a tag attached to the flotation means and gripable by a user to pull the flotation means from the carrier member.  
     
     
         16 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein fixing means are provided on the tag to fix the tag in position when it is not in use.  
     
     
         17 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the fixing means are velcro.  
     
     
         18 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flotation means is reusable and can be transferred back to its non-buoyant state after use.  
     
     
         19 . A flotation device in accordance with  claim 18 , where the flotation means is arranged to be inflatable by the user via an air valve.