Personal aquatic safety device

Abstract

A personal aquatic safety system includes a device that monitors vital signs of the wearer. If one or more of the monitored vital signs falls outside predetermined acceptable parameters, the safety device will emit an alarm and send a wireless distress signal. The safety device may be integrated into a garment such as an inflatable vest and maybe programs to automatically inflate pockets in the vest when the safety device detects that the wearer is experiencing physical distress based on the readings of the vital sign monitor. The monitoring device may also include a deployable tracker that can be released from the safety device and sent to the surface of a body of water so that it may emit a visual and audio alarms, and sends a wireless distress signal.

1 . A personal aquatic safety device comprising:
 at least one monitor selected from the group of a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a blood oxygen saturation monitor, a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter, a carbon dioxide level monitor, and a respiration rate monitor;   a programmable microcontroller;   at least one alarm device selected from the group of an audio alarm, a visual alarm and a haptic alarm;   an alarm deactivation button that, when activated, turns off the at least one alarm;   an inflatable flotation device; and,   a wireless transmitter;   wherein the microcontroller actuates the at least one alarm device when the at least one monitor detects a predetermined value; and,   wherein the microcontroller actuates the flotation device and actuates the transmitter to send a distress signal transmitter when the at least one alarm device remains actuated for a predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         2 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 1  further comprising a panic button that, when activated, actuates the flotation device and actuates the transmitter to send a distress signal transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 2  further comprising a GPS module. 
     
     
         4 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 3  wherein the flotation device is an inflatable vest. 
     
     
         5 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 4  wherein the flotation device is inflated using a CO2 canister. 
     
     
         6 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 5  wherein the flotation device includes a manual blow tube and a manual release rip cord. 
     
     
         7 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 6  further comprising a depth gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 7  further comprising a sensor that detects when the aquatic personal safety device is submerged. 
     
     
         9 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 8  wherein the flotation device and wireless distress signal transmitter are housed within a deployable tracker, wherein the deployable tracker, upon receiving a signal from the microcontroller, detaches from the aquatic safety device, actuates the flotation system, and transmits a wireless distress signal. 
     
     
         10 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 9  wherein the deployable tracker is communicatively connected to the safety device via a cord. 
     
     
         11 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 10  wherein the safety device is integrated into a scuba diving suit. 
     
     
         12 . The personal aquatic safety device of  claim 10  further comprising an accelerometer and wherein the microcontroller records rates of ascent and descent of the device. 
     
     
         13 . A personal aquatic safety device comprising:
 at least one monitor selected from the group of a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a blood oxygen saturation monitor, a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter, a carbon dioxide level monitor, and a respiration rate monitor;   a programmable microcontroller;   a first alarm selected from the group of an audio alarm, a visual alarm and a haptic alarm;   an alarm deactivation button that, when activated, turns off the alarm;   a detachable deployable tracker having positive buoyancy; and,   a wireless transmitter;   wherein the microcontroller activates the alarm when the at least one monitor detects a predetermined value; and,   wherein the microcontroller detaches the deployable tracker and actuates the transmitter to send a distress signal when the first alarm remains activated for a predetermined amount of time.