Idea for a simple self-inflating safety vest

[misterlizard]

I have been wondering about this for some time, tell me what you think...
Based on the principle that when a person blacks out they relax their grip, many people practice releasing their weightbelt and carrying it in their hand on the way back to the surface so that they will release it if they black out.
So why not wear a slimline CO2-charged vest-style lifejacket (you know the type - the ones worn by yachtsmen and other boat users) and attach a line to the activation cord, the other end of which would be tied do a weight which you can clip onto the vest or your weightbelt. Then all you do is unclip the weight and hold it in your hand as your surface. If you then suffer a blackout you would drop the weight which would pull the activation cord and hey presto you're lifted to the surface where your head is held above the water by the lifejacket.
What do you reckon? Should I have patented this idea before putting it on the forum, or are you clever people going to point out all the obvious reasons why it won't work?!

 

[Nikodk]

These vests are designed to be activated at surfase. That means that the cylinder of air contains a certain volume to fill the vest at the surface.

At 10meters (2bars) the volume of air will only be half, at 20meters one third - that means, that it could be a false safety to rely on.

 

[bobdonny]

Furthermore you would need to marinise it... the cylinder is not designed to be submerged, corrosion, rust and leakage would be what I'd worry about. But I had thought of it before!

 

[trux]

Maybe have a look at the Recovery Vest of Terry Maas: The Freedivers Recovery Vest; A device to assist those who suffer freediver blackout (shallow water blackout) by bringing them to the surface

The trigger mechanics is a bit more complicated - it is driven by a diving computer, based on the dive time and dive profile. Using a hand-held trigger is not a bad idea, and it would eliminate the need for the expensive electronics, but I am afraid that in a real situation it would not be comfortable to use, and it might lead to accidental inflation rather often.

I think at the beginning Terry considered simple mechanical trigger too, but rejected the idea during the development or homologation because the vest could not meet the necessary standards and reliability. Try contacting Terry, perhaps he can tell you better.

 

[tmaas]

As with all good ideas, yours has been thought of and even patented by Florida diver Ricardo G. Hernandez. Go to this link and see his invention at the bottom of the page: S.A.F.E.R.
Terry

 

[Bill McIntyre]

As with all good ideas, yours has been thought of and even patented by Florida diver Ricardo G. Hernandez. Go to this link and see his invention at the bottom of the page: S.A.F.E.R.
Terry

And then buy Terry's vest.

 

[agbiv]

And if it's a safe "ejection seat" use it! I prefer knowing my limits mand having a competent back up buddy.

 

[misterlizard]

As with all good ideas, yours has been thought of and even patented by Florida diver Ricardo G. Hernandez. Go to this link and see his invention at the bottom of the page: S.A.F.E.R.
Terry

I was wondering when somebody might turn up and say that!
And great respect for your invention by the way - it's a wonderful thing to have made something that will save lives.