Ocean Recovery Vest
December 31, 2019
Innovations, Safety

Ocean Recovery Vests

Big Wave Surfing

You may have heard about or seen big wave surfing video clips from all over the world. Surfers search out the most gnarly, and highest waves on Earth. Each elite surfer has their own reasons for chasing and riding these huge multiple story waves. Often times it’s bragging rights. It may be testing their skills and limits in these most extreme conditions.

Losing control and wiping out on these multiple-story waves is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries and death even for the most experienced surfers. Big wave surfing has claimed many lives over the years but the hazardous conditions haven’t stopped people from pursing these huge waves. Thanks to recently developed water safety floatation technology, pro surfers can push their limits in big waves and feel a bit safer than before.

 

The Technology of Ocean Recovery Vests

In 2010, an elite big wave surfer named Shane Dorian suffered a terrible wipeout while surfing in Northern California’s Mavericks Beach. At Mavericks, the waves can reach up to 60 feet! Shane was riding a large wave, lost control and nearly drowned after being held underwater by 2 huge waves.

This led Shane to develop a big wave floatation wetsuit with his sponsor Billabong. His goal was to help his fellow big wave surfers enjoy the high-risk thrill while increasing their safety if they wipe out in a huge wave.

“Everybody wants to charge huge waves and push the envelope but I want all my friends to be safe and I want them to come home to their families every night” – Shane Dorian

The surfer wearing the floatation wetsuit can pull an inflation handle when they need support reaching the ocean surface. The person pulling the handle triggers a small CO2 cartridge that quickly inflates the air bladder. The surfer doesn’t need to swim or do anything else at this point as the air bladder in their suit lifts them to the surface. Shane describes in the video how he could stop worrying about getting to the surface in high risk situations after a wipeout and can remain composed.

After the floatation wetsuit has been deployed and is inflated, the user can reset it for the next use by replacing the small CO2 cylinder. In Shane’s video, he goes back to his boat, deflates it, replaces the cylinder and is ready for his next big wave ride.

 

Diving Vests Save Lives

Free divers are people who dive without equipment like oxygen tanks and hold their breath during the entire dive. Free divers have similar technology to the floatation wetsuit. They have a vest they wear called an ocean recovery vest that can inflate when needed while they are diving.

The free diver’s recovery vest has technology that will inflate the vest when exceeding criteria divers set before going below the water surface. If any of these criteria are exceeded, the vest inflates:

  • Maximum diving depth
  • Maximum diving time
  • If the diver doesn’t push button to deactivate the vest between 15 to 30 seconds after surfacing, the vest will deploy automatically to keep them above water and prevent a shallow water blackout. The initial 15 second delay before they can deactivate the vest helps confirm they are conscious and avoids them deactivating the vest too early while they are stabilizing their breathing.

 

Shallow water blackout can occur when free divers (diving without oxygen tank) hold their breath too long and they pass out underwater due to low CO2 levels in their body not triggering a breath. If the diver is unconscious underwater while freediving, the risk of death is extremely high. The diver setting their maximum dive time and depth on the recovery vest keeps them from going beyond their limits.

The freediving recovery vest works similar to the big wave surfing recovery vest where it has a small CO2 cartridge that inflates the vest. The diver’s recovery vest inflates on both sides of the diver. The vest air bladders are also positioned to float the diver on his or her back on the water surface. The vest is reusable and can be reset in a few minutes. The freediving recovery vest offers divers an additional safety layer that can help save their lives.

 

Conclusion

Floatation wetsuits and ocean recovery vests have been extremely valuable to thrill seekers whether they are riding huge waves or freediving to the ocean depths. The triggerable CO2 cartridge is a vital component to inflate the person’s suit or vest and lift them to the surface in the time-critical moments of need.

Air Source Industries offers high quality medical, industrial and specialty gases for your business needs. Get a gas quote today or share your needs with our friendly customer service team at (562) 426-4017.

 

 

 

Sources