Personal flotation device with eccentric fixed and mobile ballast and buoyant members

Abstract

A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A counterweight assembly for providing enhanced heads up surface positioning of a person, said counterweight comprising: 
 a weight member; and    means for attaching said weight member to a personal flotation device, the personal flotation device worn by the person;    wherein said weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning if the person becomes incapacitated.    
     
     
         2 . The counterweight assembly of  claim 1  wherein said personal flotation device is a life vest.  
     
     
         3 . A safety garment for a water-borne person comprising a single garment, at least one first buoyancy chamber provided in said garment disposed on the person's back, at least one second buoyancy chamber provided in said garment disposed on the person's front side above the person's waist and positioned substantially centrally about the longitudinal axis of said person, means for inflating each of said chambers, whereby said second buoyancy chamber effectively generates a righting moment, where by an incapacitated water borne person's mouth and nose are positioned and maintained out of the water at all times; said first and second buoyancy chambers being in regulated fluid communication with each other, whereby when said first and second buoyancy chambers are used for diving, they can be selectively inflated to provide increased buoyancy; valve means in said fluid communication between said first and second buoyancy chambers for regulating the inflation of the second buoyancy chamber from the first buoyancy chamber, and pressure release means operatively connected to said second buoyancy chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein said at least one first buoyancy chamber is of a variable volume construction.  
     
     
         5 . A quick disconnect connector for use with an intended conventional lifting device to be deployed at depth, said quick disconnect member comprising: 
 a female member having an internal passageway extending from a first end to a second end, said female member having a valve member disposed within said internal passageway;    a male member having a first end and a second end, said male member having an internal passageway extending from its first end to its second end, said male member having a valve activating bridge member disposed at its first end;    wherein the first end of said male member is snugly received within said internal passageway of said female member to allow the bridge member to activate the valve member to provide air flow to the intended lifting device and to provide a secure but easily releasable attachment between said female member and said male member.    
     
     
         6 . The quick disconnect connector of  claim 5  wherein said valve member is a conventional Schrader valve.  
     
     
         7 . The quick disconnect connector of  claim 5  wherein said male member further including an outer flange member disposed along said male member intermediate the first end and the second end of said male member, said flange member providing a stop means to properly position the first end of said male member within the internal passageway of said female member, said flange member also serving as a gripping means to quickly remove said male member from within the internal passageway of said female member in the event of an emergency.