CA2599500A1 - The sea pod survival suit - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for helping a person survive on a cold body of water includes a suit capable of covering at least a substantial portion of the user's body while allowing the user to move and work out of water. An inflatable raft is provided to hold and support the person on water when the raft has been inflated. The raft in a deflated state is foldable into a compact configuration and is sufficiently light in weight to be carried on a back of the person out of water. There is a raft holder adapted to hold the raft in its compact state and adapted for carrying on the suit. The raft can be tethered to the suit or the raft holder.

Description

To:

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Place du Portage 1 50 Victoria St. Room C-114 Gatineau, Quebec, K 1 A-0C9.
From.
Mr. Graham Scott Clifford.
Inventor & Creator of "Sea Pod Survival Suit", &
President, Secretary & Managing Director, World Wide Survival Specialists Inc, President & CEO, Clifford Safety Development, &
Sales Representative of Precision Stunt Safety Specialists U.S.A, Airbag Division.

Corporate Headquarters 319 King St West, Dundas, Ontario, Canada.

Mr. Graham Scott Clifford.

Fisherman's Version w/Protective Raincoat The Fisherman's version comes equipped with a raincoat over the main body of the suit to prevent abrasion from constant salt water assaults and rubbing against rough surfaces onboard a sea vessel.
This raincoat will be attached or sewn onto only the neck & ankle areas to provide plenty of flexibility for mobility purposes while working on board a sea bearing vessel. The raincoat will be flexible enough to enter into the suit without having to stretch the neoprene out of place. This suit will memorize the shape of your body after extended periods of use making it easier to wear, increasing the chances of your survival if you are wearing the apparatus at all times.

Military Version/without Raincoat The Military Version of the Sea Pod Survival Suit is the version in which the raincoat material is not applied to the Immersion suit, but will include the safety of all the self rescue pods regular standard features on the Fisherman's Version.
The Sea Pod Survival Suit's Military Version will be needed by the Coast Guards to rescue the victims from en masse disasters, such as a sinking of a passenger & industrial related vessels & ships, thus ensuring their safety.

Novelties Electrically Heated Thermal Underwear Full Garment The occupant must also wear thermal underwear garments to protect themselves from cold weather environments on-board the vessel as well as in the water. This is very important aspect of surviving or sustaining Introduction to the Sea Pod Survival Suit The Sea Pod Survival Suit's main goal is to operate like a secondary life saving device to ensure that those who go overboard will be saved regardless of how cold or warm the water temperature may be.
The Sea Pod Survival Suit has the adaptability to operate & perform like a work outfit while working on deck & a secondary life saving device.

The Sea Pod Survival Suit is a first generation cold water immersion suit that comes equipped with a self-inflatable air system, to open a rear mounted backpack with a self rescue pod inside. This will enable the occupant of the suit to open his/her life-raft with minimal effort while in emergency situations.
By pulling a safety cord, the now victim, has the ability to open an inflatable one man, self rescue pod, thus being able to enter into a safer & drier environment. To compliment the self rescue pod, a small GPS Locator will be provided to ensure a swift rescue from a local Coast Guard Facility, worldwide.
This cold water survival outfit is a wearable, workable, & a safer apparatus in any cold water temperature environment exposure, to minimize the risks of contracting hypothermia, or hypothermic symptoms.

valuable body heat to stave off the symptoms of hypothermia if the victim is on deck for a long time.
These undergarments are to be electrically heated to maintain a certain operating temperature within the human core temperature range while at work, rest, & in emergency situations. The heat pads are to be located at certain areas on the body of the thermal underwear, under armpits, the groin area, & the top of the head (this is a new idea or invention). These are the main areas of heat loss in the human body, & this will eliminate the need for the blood vessels to contract with the sudden plummet in temperature while immersed in cold water environments.

Thermal Temperature Regulator In normal working conditions the thermal underwear acts as a barrier to cold water environments. The occupant of the suit will not have to turn on the electrical heating system until an emergency occurs.
When researching this project, I was talking to people in the cold water rescue field & concluded that if you have a sustainable under garment on like thermal underwear, when immersed in near freezing water, you will better your chances of survival when immersed in freezing cold water longer than you would if you had just normal under garments on.
Regulating the temperature regulator is done automatically when the the battery is activated by the Water Temperature Sensor/GPS Auto Enabler system & have a long enough battery life to sustain an unconscious victim from seizing up from inactivity, causing sever cramping of the muscles &
arteries before rescue occurs. Under normal conditions the Therrnal Temperature Regulator is turned on manually by a small button located beside the flashlight ejection button. The two activation systems are necessary due to victims falling overboard unconsciously.

Water Temperature Sensor/GPS Auto Enabler The Water Temperature Sensor is for emergency situations when the wearer of the Sea Pod Survival Suit goes overboard when unconscious.
This adaptation will enable the sensor to detect a drop in water temperature for a specified period of time if the life raft is not deployed. The sensor reads the non-deployment of the life raft in waters at 54 degrees C and lower, by determining the amount of time the sensor is immersed in the cold water ~~~ 1"" `~~

environment, & will automatically send off a distress signal to the USCG or local rescue services.
This apparatus works in conjunction with the Thermal Temperature Regulator.

V-shaped Throat Piece Before entering the water in emergency situations, the wearer must pull the main zipper of the suit up & over the V-Shaped throat piece to enable the wearer to fully seal the neck area from ingress of sea water. This adaptation is to ensure while doing the zipper up during emergency procedures, the extra piece of ribbed rubber will tighten the neck area, but not as though to not suffocate the wearer. The ribbed platform of the V-Shaped throat piece is to also ensure that the zipper catches the ribbed portion of the V-Shaped throat piece, preventing the zipper from undoing while in the water trying to swim.
Located from mid chest area to the end of the zipper, causing a tightening seal around the occupants chin area making sure that ingress of sea water does not occur.

Removable Head Mounted Shake Light The Sea Pod Survival Suit has a hands free light source, provided by an electromagnetic energy source that requires no rechargeable batteries.
The wearer will have to shake his/her flashlight for one minute to activate the light & the shake light will remain on for 100 hours, until the process has to be repeated.
The Shake flashlight is removable from the head area by simply clicking a side button. This releases the flashlight from it's housing so the wearer can ~_.~~

shake the flashlight for further use & then replace the shake flashlight back into it's housing, making sure you here a click or snapping sound to ensure the shake flashlight is secure within the housing.
Since the wearer is moving around while performing duties, this apparatus should prevent injuries from occurring by not having to hold an flashlight in their hands while performing duties at night time.

Waterproof 2-WaX Microphone Head-Set The Sea Pod Survival Suit comes equipped with a hands free on-board communication device. This water-proof microphone head-set can be used in all types of weather conditions to prevent corrosion from salt water & will provide an excellent source of wide open communication from crew to main bridge & save time for crab fisherman crews eliminating the need to walk over to the intercom system & talk to the bridge.
This will also prevent injuries from occurring while trying to perform this task(less walking on slippery deck surfaces).

Product Distributor: Maplin, Mini-micro Clip Product # A49AK Price - $7.99 US/unit Removable Arms & Legs The removable arms & legs are designed to be removable while at rest. The arms are to be removed by peeling back the zipper seal, then unzipping the zipper. (The arms & legs are not totally removable for emergency purposes) Attached to the outside of the thigh area, there will be a light nylon strap secured with Velcro to secure the now loose arm or leg of the suit to the side of your appendages making sure the now loose leg or arm potion does not interfere with walking.
This rubber strap will allow the wearer to readily pull off the light nylon strap, & then re-zipping up the arms & legs for emergency situations.
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tem Inflation System The Self-Inflation system operates similar to a self inflatable air mattress.
The Pod portion of the Sea Pod Survival Suit is designed to deploy when the activation system is initiated.
A strong pressure air system valve, delivered by a plastic tube air hose(s) will deploy the life raft to full size.
The Inflation system will be located on top of the backpack containing the Pod/Life raft. An air suction module will grasp air from the immediate atmosphere & inflate the Pod/Life raft.
Upon deployment, the Pod /Life raft will have to deflate as well. The Deflate Key will be provided in the Floating Emergency.

Non-Slip Deck Platform Boots The boots are designed to give the wearer more adherences & more balance to the deck surfaces. At the sides of the boots are little extensions of the sole on either side & at either end. This prevents the wearer from tipping over from side to side & from front to back when in rough seas ensuring that the wearer is able to walk properly. The boot resembles a hybrid between a cross country ski shoe & rubber soled rain boots.

Type 1 Retro-Reflective Material Main Suit According to SOLAS, & USCG Regulations, the occupant's suit is required to have at least 200 centimetres of retro-reflective material visible above the water line when immersed in water.
Sea Pod Survival Suit's retro-reflective material runs from the side of the ankle, all the way up the entire thorax & chest area, along the slope of the shoulder, up the neck, over the head & repeated down the opposite side.
Retro reflective material in a cross style pattern onto the backside of the pod/life raft backpack.

Distributor: 3M Canada Product 1350-A High Intensity Grade SOLAS Reflective Sheeting Specs: Meets USCG 46 Part 164. Subpart 164.018/5/0 Price: $1.95/ft.

Dimensions: Suit portion: 360 cm.
Self Rescue Pod portion: 50 cm.
= 410 cm. x 0.393 = 161 sq in.
Information Source: 3M Canada.

Release Knob for Main inflation system.

The release knob for the Sea Pod Survival Suit is a tamper-proof two stage operation. This is to ensure that the wearer will not accidentally deploy his/her life raft on deck by hitting an object, or by brushing up against something that will break the release knob off.
The Release knob will be a two stage operation, involving simple systematic procedures.

Procedures Step 1 The wearer, upon an emergency, shall first turn the knob either clockwise or counter clockwise.

Step 2.

The wearer than shall either pushes in then turn knob either to the left or to the right.
The life raft is then deployed & ready to enter the pod/life raft.
"Self Rescue Pod"

Introduction This pod/life raft is a one man sized rescue pod in which the victim will be able to save his/her life without having to swim in existing cold water immersion suits that are not suitable to swim or perform simple motor skills to enable the victim to escape to safety.
The life raft is designed to allow the victim to escape from the cold water environment as quickly as possible. The depth of the life raft will prevent the victim from coming into contact with the cold water after entering the life raft.
The existing problem with trying to swim to the 4-20 person life rafts, are that the occupant exerts too much energy fighting the clumsy neoprene suit instead of the water.
This tires the victim too early in the critical stages of life saving, due to the cold water conditions, panicking, & exerting too much effort to swim.
Self Rescue Pod Air Bed By constructing & maintaining an 8-9" inch air barrier in between the surface of the water & the occupant of the self rescue pod, this will maintain equilibrium within the life raft, with minimal effects of sea sickness or nausea.
Constructed in a tubular fashion, the air bed will be easier to repack within the life raft.

Main Floor of Sea Pod The circumference of the floor is to match evenly on all sides, taking into consideration that this material must also be salt water resistant. The floor will be a base for the occupant to rest on while waiting for emergency rescue.
On the surface of the interior, there will be Flat Hand Rungs that will enable the user to hold oneself steady while being tossed within the ocean.

Hand Rung Under-Grommet Discs The grommets are constructed from marine grade PVC material. The grommets are to be on the underside of the main floor to securely fasten the hand rungs from stresses that occur while being used.
The grommets are shaped like steel washers to provide extra strength to the nylon rope attached to them from underneath the main flooring so the occupant will not break or snap off while putting a lot of weight or force onto the Hand Rung at once.

Over Shaping of Pod/Life raft The conical or cone shape of the life raft above the water is to prevent capsizing from strong winds(rain) & waves. The conical shape will also deter strong winds from grabbing onto any part of the life raft & lifting it off the surface of the water.

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The life raft comes equipped with four windows evenly distributed around the mid-flank of the main body of the life raft. These windows are to prevent the victim from opening the main hatchway due to claustrophobic like conditions within the rescue pod.

Under ShaPing of the Pod/Life Raft Underneath the life raft has a concave shape that acts as/or like a suction cup to the water's surface. This will act as a deterrent in heavy winds &
waves. The shape is also to deter heavy downwash produced by the forceful rotation (downwash) of the helicopter blades when rescue operations are taking place.

Underside Water Bladder The water bladder, which is located in the middle of the bottom of the life raft & is used to retain water for proper buoyancy purposes, thus maintaining proper balancing of the occupant, & to prevent capsizing.

Colour for Suit & Pod/Life Raft According to the USCG & SOLAS, the determining colour for both the suit portion & pod/Life Raft portion are to be Colour # 34 (NBS Special Publication 440).
USCG, Subpart 160.151-15(e) TY'Pe 1 Retro-reflective Material Self Rescue Pod The Pod/life raft is also required to have Type 1 retro-reflective tape externally under part 164, subpart 164.018. complying with SOLAS.
There must be 3sq. feet of retro-reflective material that is required on the bottom of the life raft.
The Sea pod Survival Suit will also have 1.5sq. feet of retro-reflective tape on top of the Pod/Life raft The arrangement of the Type 1 Retro-reflective material & must comply with IMO (International Maritime Organization) Resolution (A.658)(16).
USC Regulation 160.171-9 Double Air Walls The walls of the life raft are double-walled to maintain a steady &
dependable barrier from the environment. These walls are to be 1 1/2 in thick, tapered to 1/2 in. thick at the top. In order to maintain constant air pressure, a certain amount of pounds per square inched of air pressure will have to be maintained at all times, until deflation occurs.

Buoyant Emergency Ration Bag (Optional) The Floatable Emergency Ration Bag (BERB), is designed to accommodate the overboard victim by providing the necessary emergency rations &
hardware to survive in a man overboard situation according to the USCG &
SOLAS Regulations, Subpart 160.151-21.
Figuring on the complications the wearer of the suit might face if the suit &
self rescue pod are over burdened with life saving implements could lead to drowning prematurely.
These items may include: Hand Fares or Flare guns, First Aid kit, sea sickness pills, jackknife, food & water rations, Deflate Key, heaving line, bailer, sponge, sea anchors, paddles, tin opener, whistle, rocket parachute flare, flashlight, radar reflector, signalling mirror, fishing tackle, drinking cup, nylon rope, & instruction manuals on how to & when to implement such devices.
Subpart 160.151-21 USCG & SOLAS.
The Sea Pod Survival Suit was not designed to carry all of the life saving items in the self rescue pod or the main body of the suit except for the GPS
Locator. which is permanently located within the inner pocket of the Suit portion of the Sea Pod Survival Suit.

Rain Catcher The rain catcher is built in to the housing beside the Emergency Flicker Light. The lip that is formed from the addition of the Emergency Flicker Beacon will provide the area in which the hole for the rubber tube will fit.
The rubber tube will drain the collected rain water into a storage bladder within the inner wall of the rescue pod & will have a rubber stopper/plug w/drinking hose in order to retrieve the water.

Floating Retrievable Tether Line (Suit & Life Raft) Attached to the occupant & the life raft is a tether line, or what the survival industry calls a buddy line. Located & attached to the rear of the suit portion to the outer shell of the rescue pod, this will prevent the life raft from floating away from the potential victim, enabling him/her to retrieve the rescue pod after it has floated away in the currents, by pulling the rescue pod towards them to gain entry into the rescue pod. Once inside, the victim then unclips the tether line from the rear of the suit & un-clipping it, then clipping that end to the outside door loop once inside the rescue pod.
Both tether lines at each end are attached to a small Teflon eyelet, via a snap hook & swivel hook so they do not accidentally dislodge or twist off from the suit or the rescue pod when the rescue pod is in storage within the rescue pod "backpack" or while the sea pod is deployed in the water in ~ ~~

heavy sea conditions.
Located near the main hatchway on the outside is a small nylon loop so the victim may attach the back clip of the survival suit & attach it to the outside loop to ensure the main hatchway will be properly closed off to the outside environment.
The tether line is made of polyester type material to prevent the material from degrading while not in use. The line must be constructed out of 2000 lb test ratio.
The tether line is attached to two swivel hooks, (one attached to the survival suit on the back of the suit & attached to one of the plastic grommets outside of the life raft) to prevent entanglement & twisting of the line while the tether line is exposed to high winds & waves after the life raft has been deployed.

Pod/Life Raft Instruction Manual The raft life/pod instructions must be visible on the outside of the life raft &
be readable. The instructions will be silk screened on top the air-bed portion of the pod/life raft. This regulation falls under the USCG
Regulations/SOLAS Subpart 160.151-33. There must be a training manual available or provided to instruct the First Mate of each ship to teach the deckhands to safely operate the Sea Pod Survival Suit.
USCG Regulation 160.151-59.
See rough Draft Section of this proposal.

Emergency Manual Override System (EMOS) This system will allow the victim to be able to inflate the pod/life raft if the primary inflation system fails.
Located on the outside of the pod/life raft, this system is a secondary emergency inflation system to ensure that in case the main inflation system failed(s) to fully inflate the rescue pod, a secondary backup system was in place near the door to fully ensure their survival.

To activate, simply pull the rubber tab & the secondary self inflation system activates, inflating the pod for entry.

USCG/SOLAS Subpart, 160.151-25 Over Pressure Release Valves The over pressure valves, are valves designed to release extra air out of the pod/life raft in case of over inflation.
USCG/SOLAS Subpart 160.151-25 Outside Eye Grommets Attached to the outside, & around the side of the life raft, there are four conveniently placed plastic grommets in order for the rescue diver to swiftly locate the grommet to attach a life line from the rescue helicopter to the life raft for easy retrieval.
This will expedite the rescue process & will increase the chances of survival for other victims.
These grommets also save fuel for the helicopter that makes the rescues, causing an overall savings in fuel to the Coast Guard.

Entering the Self Rescue Pod After the occupant has activated the self-inflatable knob & deploys the pod/life raft, the victim then reaches for the life raft's/pod's main area, via a zipper that includes an outside Teflon T-Bar handle that has retro-reflective tape attached to it for the highest visibility rating for night time self rescues.
depending on varying light & sea conditions.
Then you slide onto the small door raft to gain entry into the sea pod portion of the Sea Pod Survival Suit, meanwhile pulling yourself up with the aid of the Floor Rungs and jumping in the rescue pod.

Then the occupant is required to take off his/her glove to remove the GPS
Locator to transmit a signal for rescue. This GPS Locator will pin-point your position within 1.5 meters throughout the entire world. This means that all Coast Guards internationally would be able to rescue you if you have activated the GPS Locator.

Floor Rungs With the aid of rungs/hand that are placed on the floor of the life raft at certain intervals aiding the victim upon entering the pod/life raft &
preventing the victim from being tossed around in the life raft/pod during emergency situations. This may possibly prevent sea sickness from occurring also.
These rungs are to be constructed from high strength nylon. The rungs are snapped into place securely fastened into the main floor of the life raft by a series of flat plastic button snaps, glued & then fastened together by over-rated or plastic pins to ensure that the rungs do not come apart when the occupant applies pressure or degrade while stored in the backpack, or while in contact with corrosive salt water environments.

Emer ency Pod/Life Raft Strobe Light (USCG Life Raft Exterior Locator Light w/on/off switch~

The life raft is also outfitted with a beacon indicator light that is required by SOLAS,( International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) Subpart 160.151-25 in 47 CFR part 80.
LSA (International Life-Saving Appliance Code) & the United States Coast Guard, USCG (Commercial & Military Shipping Codes Regulations within US Territorial Waters) are the governing bodies in cold water survival Acts & Regulations. This apparatus has to be fitted to the top of the life raft in order for the rescue crews to be able to see the flashing light from the rescue helicopter.

Strobe Light Specifications This lens will have to be rounded blue coloured lens, that has a slight convex shape, or curvature on top of the lens to deter the ingress of water build-up & to steer the rain water into an inside bladder tube for emergency water rations.
The bottom must have a flat surface in order for the lens to pack properly when repacking occurs.
The wiring will have to be marine grade wiring so as to adhere to strict engineering codes & regulations.
The lens is adapted to fit a waterproof wiring harness, & the bulb is changed or added. The type of bulb to be replace is a flickering strobe like light to alert helicopter crews of the Pod's exact location in darkness or at night time when visibility is at its lowest.

Materials & Sources Main Body Construction "Sea Pod Survival Suit's" will be constructed with the latest fabric technology in the cold water survival industry to meet SOLAS Regulations, (International Governing Body of Cold Water Survival) & the USCG.
(USCG Military, & Commercial Shipping Governing Body on Cold Water Survival.) The materials that I have chosen are comfortable & non-irritating to the skin, while having proper regulatory life saving & thermal qualities as well.

1/4 -6mm Closed Cell Neoprene ,~..-.. 17 The main body of `Sea Pod Survival Suit" will be mainly constructed from 1/4 inch Closed Cell Neoprene according to Subpart Section 160.171-1 of the USCG & SOLAS Regulations.

Information Source: www.usc .mil/hq/ -g m/regs/reghome.html Incorporation by Reference (G-MSE) USCG # 160.171-3 Subpart 160.171-1 + 160.174-3 (Immersion Suits) Subpart 160.151-1 + 160.151-61 (Life rafts) Contact Name: Samuel Wehr, Commandant USCG.
Washington DC.

'/4 inch Closed Cell Neoprene - Main Body outside.
Distributor: Foamorder.com, Lexington Kentucky USA.
Contact Name: Rodney Stewart-Wilcox Price: 1-10 sheets 6mm , (Minimal order) = $124.20 US
Price: 26-99 sheets 6mm, (Maximum quant. order off of list) _$41.40 US
Information Source: www.foamorder.com Crushed Neoprene The inner layer material is 1/8 thick Crushed Neoprene. Crushed neoprene is the chosen material for wetsuits, & dive suits. Crushed neoprene has many qualities that enable it to be suitable for cold water survival.
Processed through a Hydraclave, which is a machine designed to compress the '/4 in. neoprene while expulsing the gasses that are contained within the fabric at a molecular level.
With the gasses gone the suit has a high density, meaning it is a compacted material.

Crushed Neoprene: Inner Suit Material.
Product Distributor: Diving Unlimited International USA.
Contact Names: Bob Stinton & Susan Long.
Information Source: www.dui.com _ ~..,,.

PVC Raincoat Material PVC Marine grade raincoat material (Fisherman's grade), w/ T/C backing. anti-alkelescent & anti-acidic. 0.35- 0.60mm.
Colour: # 34, USCG Subpart 160.171-9 Material Distributor: JT Clothing & Rainwear Process Company Ltd, China Price per/yard. $2.05 US.
Contact Name: Colin Shen Head Mounted Electromagnetic Head Light Distributor: Forest City Surplus Shake Flashlight Model # 480055 Price/unit: $3.95Cdn- 3.58 US
or..
Waterproof 3LED Shake Flashlight: Model # 210067 Price /unit $17.95Cdn, $16.28 US
Quantity 1 /unit Information Source: www.fcs.com GPS Locator The GPS Locator is located in an inside pocket for easy retrieval. The GPS
Locator is small enough to be stored in an inner pocket due to its size &
shape.This GPS Locator will pinpoint your position, throughout the entire globe to about 1.5m within your position.

This is an important aspect to Sea Pod Survival Suit. I wanted to lessen the emergency location response time for the Coast Guard to locate you & do a rescue operation.

Product Distributor: Safety & Security Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Product: Micro GPS Logger/Tracker, @ $449.00 US/unit Information source: www.safetyandsecurilycenter.com Product Distributor: Safety & Security Center, Los Angeles California.
Zippers (All Appendages) Material: Marine Grade 316 polished stainless steel slider Distributor: Lenzip Manufacturing Corporation.
Product: Big Zip # 15, 100% salt water corrosion free moulded injected teeth, UV stabilized, double braided carrier cord.
Price/unit:
Dimesions: 2.75 in. wide Contact Name: Paul Lichtenstein, President.

Zipper Seals: All Appendages & main Zipper Distributor: Big Zip Contact Name: Paul Lichtenstein Material: High Tensile Strength Marine Grade Rubber Dimensions: See dimensions for zippers.

Zipper Dimensions 1'/2 in. wide. 1/8 in. thickness of product Mid forearm: 8 1/2 in. length approx. Quantity- 2/unit.
Mid calf: 15 in. in length. approx. Quantity - 2/unit.

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Main body seal: 51 in. approx. Quantity - 1/unit.

Total area in inches covered by Zipper Seals = 98sq in. approx.
Specifications:
The Zipper Seals are to be constructed out of high tensile strength rubber.
The Zipper seal is to ensure, while at work or in an emergency situations the seals will prevent ingress of water through the zippers of the suit.

V-Shaped Rubber Chest Piece Material: Marine grade rubber Material Distributor:
Information Source:
Contact Name: N/A
Dimensions 1/4 in. thickness.
7 in wide. @ top of throat area, narrows down to 2 in. wide @ the bottom.
Total area covered by V-Shaped Throat Piece = 14 in. approx - area lost from throat piece being in a trapezoidal shape. So add back approx. 1/4 of 14 in = 14 divided by 4= 3.5sq in. =14sq-3.5sq in. = 10.5sq in total area.
approx.
Quantity -1 /unit.
Specifications:
The V-Shaped Throat Piece is shaped in a trapezoidal configuration, to lessen the amount of non-breathable rubber on the Sea Pod Survival Suit.
The V-Shaped throat piece is designed to prevent the ingress of water into the main portion of the Sea Pod Survival Suit by sealing the throat area as tight as possible, without choking the occupant. It is also designed to prevent the slippage of the main zipper from coming undone by incorporating a ribbed surface, so the zipper will not retract in emergency situations.

Suit Sizes There are only three sizes that the Sea Pod Survival Suit comes in.
1. Adult 2. Child size 3. Over-sized Adult.

The Sea Pod Survival Suit originally came with the idea of making the suit custom fitted to every individual. The logistics behind this endeavour were found too overwhelming & expensive.
USCG Regulation 160.171-17.

Sea-Pod/Life Raft Materials & Sources Main Life raft material Material: Lightweight Teflon Coated Rayon Material Distributor: Precision Stunt Safety Specialists Contact Name: Scott Leva Overall Weight: Unknown Housing for Emergency Flicker Beacon Material: High Tensile, non-conductive rubber.
Product Distributor:
Price/unit:
Information source:
Contact Name: N/A
Dimensions: 5 in. in diameter, 2.5 in. radius.
1/4 in. in thickness Specifications:
The housing for the Emergency Flicker Beacon(EFB) top will have a convex shape to properly house the EFB, & to also inhibit water to drain into a provided tube to be stored in a bladder that is fabricated into the inner walls to provide a fresh water source for the victim.

The EFB is to have a flat bottom, so while repacking the life raft/pod, the EFB will sit evenly within the backpack.

Emergency Food Rations Distributor:
Vitalife/Quakekare Industries Inc, California USA.
Product: 2400 Calorie ER Food Bar Information Source: www.duakerkare.corri Total price/unit, 1200 Calories = 16.744186 = 17cents/unit.
Total price/unit, 2400 Calories = 7.2727273 = 7.5ccents/unit.
Quantity: 20-499pcs = $2.85 US/unit, through to 500-1499pcs $2.75 US/unit.
Product: Water Blox 3pk Price/unit: $1.09 US = $0.36 cents US/unit.
Distributor 2.

Proptek.com Code # MDFB 12M.
Product: Mayday Food Rations.
Price/unit: Price/unit 1200 Calories/serving US $2.15/cs of 36 Price/unit 2400 Calories/serving US $3.30/CS OF 24 Information S ource : www.proptek.com 1500-5000pcs = $2.70 US /unit USCG Regulation 160.151-21 Under 160.151, Inflatable Life rafts.
Dimensions of Pod/Life Raft & other related equiDment Life Raft Total Height - 4ft 5 inches Total Width - 5ft 1 inch Total Depth - 5ft 1 inch Total Diameter - 10.5ft Total Radius - 5ft 1 inch Total Depth of Airbed portion between main floor & bottom of raft. 8-9 inches.
Total Diameter of Airbed portion- 11 ft.
Total Radius of Airbed portion - 5ft. 5 inches Main Hatchway dimensions -Total Width - 2ft 2 inches =26 inches Total Height - 3 ft 5 inches = 40 inches Slide-Out Air Mattress Dimensions @ main hatchway of pod/life raft.
Total width - 2ft Total Depth - 10 inches Total Length - 3 ft Tether line Dimensions:
Total Width- 2.5 inches. Total Length- 7 ft 10 inches.
This allows for the snap hook w/swivel on either end of tether line.
Total Weight: Unknown.

Teflon Grommets on outside of Sea-pod/life raft Dimensions:
Total Diameter - 1.5 inches Total Radius - 0.75 inches.

Repacking fees for Sea Pod Survival Suit 4 Man Life Raft = $265.00 US divided by 4 = 1 man Pod/Life Raft Sea Pod Survival Suit = $66.25 Savings of = $195.75/life raft Information source: Life Raft Service Estimate Calculator.
www.lrse.com & www.defenders.com Research Started: March 22 nd 2006 Time: 9:36pm Address at present time:
932 Old Dundas Rd, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, L9H-5E3.

Research Ended: July 12t' 2007 Time: 1:20 pm Address at present time:
319 King Street West, Dundas Ontario, Canada Graham Scott Clifford FY-, /t~
Date:
(Zym~/
Time:

Synopsis of the Sea Pod Survival Suit Overall Review The Sea Pod Survival Suit will ensure the wearer's safety close to, or at a 100% rate of accident & man overboard incidents, if the wearer is well instructed in the use & maintenance of the Sea Pod Survival Suit.
The Sea Pod Survival Suit has many novel ideas incorporated into the main body & the pod/life raft portion to ensure that the occupant. These novel ideas are to prevent the worst case scenarios from occurring while stranded alone in the ocean, such as mild to severe Hypothermia.
While adhering to most USCG & SOLAS Regulations the Sea Pod Survival may possibly re-write the regulations of modern day cold water survival techniques & technology.
The materials to construct the Sea Pod Survival Suit are readily available &
the technology exists to advance the Sea Pod Survival Suit to a working prototype & to eventual manufacturing stages.
This is because the Sea Pod Survival Suit is unique in many ways & veers from the normal cold water survival suits that exist today.
During a year of research I concluded that the Sea Pod Survival Suit will be a viable, & marketable product. The main areas of the Sea Pods Survival Suit's core demographic will be the King Crab fishing industry, Military, (both US, Canada & Internationally), The Canadian & United States Coast Guard, Luxury Liner/Cruise ship industry, container & cargo ships, and sailing vessels.

Mr. Graham Scott Clifford President, Secretary, &
Managing Director, World Wide Survival Specialists Inc.

Instruction Manual For The Sea Pod Survival Suit Introduction This operating manual is designed to instruct users of the Sea Pod Survival Suit how to operate the Sea Pod Survival Suit properly and effectively, in order to benefit from its many life saving features and novelties.
The easy to operate system will ensure that all who learn how to effectively operate this apparatus will increase the rate of survivability of man overboard situations.

Instruction Manual Steps 1-9 Step 1.

a) Pull rip cord Upon entering water pull rip cord to activate inflatable sea pod.
An inflatable life rescue pod will automatically disperse itself in approximately ten seconds from the backside of your work outfit.
Step 2.

b) Pull Sea Pod towards you with tether line.

Pull tether line to retrieve the self rescue pod toward you, to gain entry into the self rescue pod.
This is an easy operation since the sea pod is very light, requires less effort to gain access to sea pod.

Step 3.
b) Un-zip Main hatchway Once you have a hold of the Sea Pod, unzip sea pod's main zippered hatchway and enter into sea pod.

This operation requires minimal exertion or energy in calm seas, but results could vary in rougher seas or cold temper environments.

Step4.

d) Re-zip Main hatchway.

Re-zip Sea Pod's main zippered hatchway to ensure no water enters Sea Pod.

This requires energy and concentration if in rough seas.
Step 5.

e) Undo Tether line After entering the rescue pod successfully, undo the tether line from the back-side of your suit & place on outside loop. This must be done to ensure that the main hatchway close properly.
Ste 6.

f) Pull GPS Location Device.

It is located inside a zippered pocket inside the main portion of the suit of Sea Pod Survival Suit. This GPS Locator is similar in size to a cigarette lighter to fit comfortably in side the suit for extreme safety reasons.
These reasons are , if the occupant's self inflatable rescue pod does not function properly, he/she may manipulate his/her GPS Locator from within the water.
After GPS Locator is activated, replace the GPS Locator back into your pocket.

The GPS Locator is in place to ensure your ultimate safety. This will ensure you can be automatically located through Global Positioning Satellite(s).
This requires little or no energy.
SteD 7.

g) Lie Down Lie down inside of sea pod and wait to be rescued. Look out clear portals at the top of the Sea Pod to gain your bearings and to anticipate large waves in rough sea conditions.

This requires little or no energy in calm seas, but requires more energy and higher concentration in rougher seas.

Step 8.

h) Nourishment If out at sea for extended periods of time, you are provided with tubes of fresh water for thirst and honey for sustainability.
Simply break seal at top of one end of tube then consume liquid and replace cap for further use.
This operation requires little or no energy to perform.

Step 9=

i) Activate thermal underwear.

If you start feeling cold or start shivering you are to activate the Electrically Heated Thermal Underwear.
This requires little or no energy to perform.
Step 10=

j) Wait inside of Self Rescue Pod When rescue helicopter arrives you must wait inside of sea pod to be hooked onto by rescue diver. The Sea Pod Survival Suit is equipped with durable hard plastic grommets on all corners of the Sea Pod for easy hook up to rescue line (s).

This operation requires the Rescue Diver to manipulate a hook onto the Sea Pod from any side. This novelty will eliminate the time it takes to fmd just one grommet, making further rescue efforts in a shorter time frame.
It will also save on fuel for the helicopter, meaning that there is also an economical savings attribute associated with the Sea Pod Survival Suit.

Note:
All steps must be performed properly after sufficient training has taken place in order for the Sea Pod Survival Suit to be a fully effective life saving device.

Re-Editing Date: 14/08/07 Graham S. Clifford.
President, Secretary, & Managing Director, World Wide Survival Specialists Inc.

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Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for use by a person required to work in conditions which expose the person to a threat of immersion in a cold water body, the apparatus comprising:

a raft which has an inflated state in which it, in use, floats atop said water body and holds and supports said person above said water body; and a deflated state in which it can be packed into a compact configuration; and a raft holder which, in use, is carried on the back of said person and which is adapted to hold said raft when in said compact configuration.