System and methods for multi-purpose water-activated inflatable collar deployment

Abstract

Systems and techniques may generally be used for a multi-purpose water rescue system that may include an inflatable collar with a tubular body defining an inflatable cavity and a longitudinal channel. The channel may allow a high-strength Webbing to slide without transferring tension to the collar. A buckle-as-slide assembly may permit uncoupling and reattaching the collar in a cinched arrangement. A Water-Activated Inflator and manual inflation handle may provide buoyancy upon submersion. A deployment bag may house the collar in a deflated state and contain a rescue rope, maintaining continuous rope connectivity across compartment attachments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-purpose water rescue system comprising:
 an inflatable rescue collar defining a tubular body with an inner wall and an outer wall forming an inflatable cavity therebetween, the tubular body defining a longitudinal channel that permits passage of a high-strength webbing independently of the inflatable cavity;   the high-strength webbing slidably disposed through the longitudinal channel and configured to support a tensile load without transferring tensile stress to the inflatable rescue collar;   a buckle-as-slide (BAS) assembly coupled to the high-strength webbing, the BAS assembly enabling the inflatable rescue collar to be uncoupled from a torso, placed into a ready position, and recoupled around the torso in a cinched arrangement without detaching the high-strength webbing from the tubular body;   an inflation assembly including a water-activated inflator and a manual inflation handle, the water-activated inflator being configured to automatically inflate the inflatable rescue collar upon exposure to water; and   a deployment bag having:
 a first compartment dimensioned to house the inflatable rescue collar in a deflated state; and 
 a second compartment containing a rescue rope tethered to the high-strength webbing, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are releasably attached so as to maintain continuous connection of the rescue rope to the high-strength webbing when the first compartment and the second compartment are detached. 
   
     
     
         2 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal channel further comprises a plurality of interior belt-loop structures preventing rotational displacement of the high-strength webbing under dynamic lifting forces. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the water-activated inflator is configured to automatically inflate the inflatable rescue collar upon submersion. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle-as-slide (BAS) assembly comprises a corrosion-resistant material capable of withstanding tensile loads of at least 2,000 pounds while permitting incremental tightening of the high-strength webbing around the torso or other body region. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable rescue collar includes reflective tape disposed along an exterior surface to enhance visual tracking during rescue operations. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployment bag includes a drone attachment ring configured to interface with an aerial drone, and further includes a throw handle with an integrated drone attachment space for manual or automated delivery. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable rescue collar is formed of a polymer-coated fabric having an over-pressure valve that automatically vents excessive internal pressure above approximately 3 psi, and further comprises an elastic strip positioned adjacent the inflatable cavity to retain a compact coiled state prior to deployment. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-purpose water rescue system of  claim 1 , wherein the rescue rope is threaded from the second compartment through an aperture into the first compartment and attached to the high-strength webbing at or near the BAS assembly, and wherein the rescue rope exits the second compartment through a designated rescue rope exit point configured to prevent tangling or obstruction during deployment. 
     
     
         9 . A method of deploying a multi-purpose water rescue system, the multi-purpose water rescue system including an inflatable rescue collar with a longitudinal channel for a high-strength webbing attached to a buckle-as-slide (BAS) assembly, and a deployment bag having a first compartment and a second compartment, the method comprising:
 storing the inflatable rescue collar in a deflated, folded configuration within a first compartment of the deployment bag and storing a rescue rope tethered to the high-strength webbing in a second compartment, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are releasably connected;   automatically inflating the inflatable rescue collar via a water-activated inflation assembly upon submersion;   disengaging the first compartment of the deployment bag to access the inflatable rescue collar;   unbuckling the BAS assembly and encircling a torso or other body region with the inflatable rescue collar;   re-buckling the BAS assembly to secure the inflatable rescue collar around the torso or other body region for buoyancy;   retrieving or towing a victim by applying tension to the rescue rope, wherein the rescue rope remains continuously connected to the inflatable rescue collar through the high-strength webbing; and   optionally using an oral tube to adjust pressure of the inflatable rescue collar, wherein a manual inflation valve comprises an oral inflation tube disposed at an exterior portion of the inflatable rescue collar.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising attaching the deployment bag to a drone via a dedicated ring, wherein the drone delivers the inflatable rescue collar to a remote location tethered to the rescue rope, and the deployment bag includes a throw handle and drone attachment space formed into an exterior flap. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable rescue collar inflates automatically within seconds of submersion in water via a water-activated inflator. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising attaching a visual marker to the inflatable rescue collar, such as a glow stick or strobe, to facilitate location and monitoring during rescue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein re-buckling the BAS assembly includes incrementally tightening the high-strength webbing around a chest of the victim to ensure secure fit without exerting excessive compression on a rib cage. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising selectively detaching the second compartment of the deployment bag while maintaining rope communication with the inflatable rescue collar, enabling an extended rope toss, and wherein the second compartment includes mesh flaps and a float configured to maintain buoyancy and promote drainage. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising venting excess gas from an over-pressure valve on the inflatable rescue collar if internal pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the over-pressure valve is positioned adjacent a high-strength webbing pass-through to balance internal pressure distribution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable rescue collar includes foldable sections that can be secured via snaps or tabs to reduce volume prior to deployment. 
     
     
         17 . An inflatable water rescue collar comprising:
 a tubular body having a first end and a second end, the tubular body defining a longitudinal channel therethrough for receiving a high-strength webbing independently of an inflatable portion;   a buckle-as-slide (BAS) assembly operably coupled to the high-strength webbing, the BAS assembly being configured to permit the high-strength webbing to be unbuckled, wrapped around a torso or other body region, and rebuckled into a cinched arrangement without detaching an inflatable rescue collar from the high-strength webbing;   an automatic inflation assembly integrated into the tubular body, said automatic inflation assembly comprising a water-activated inflator; and   
       an oral tube configured to provide backup inflation or an incremental pressure adjustment in the tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable water rescue collar of  claim 17 , wherein the tubular body includes a plurality of belt-loop structures lining said longitudinal channel, each belt-loop structure maintaining the high-strength webbing in a spaced orientation to prevent rolling of the inflatable rescue collar during turbulent water rescue operations, and further comprising one or more tacky webbing segments attached to an exterior of the inflatable rescue collar. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable water rescue collar of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more releasable attachment points on an exterior portion of the tubular body for securing a drone delivery hook or a visual signal device, and wherein the collar includes a stainless steel O-ring disposed near at least one buckle to serve as a secondary tether point. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable water rescue collar of  claim 17 , further comprising a protective jacket formed from ripstop nylon or a polyurethane-coated material, wherein the protective jacket reduces abrasion on the tubular body and is fastened via a hook-and-loop closure to accommodate in-field repairs or replacements.