CA2538477A1 - Emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation system that can be attached to a variety of vehicles or craft and deployed by the operator or passenger when ever that vessel is in a distress situation on water. The system consists of a two piece elongated polymer cylinder that opens along its length to release a deflated and folded bladder, which is inflated via a replaceable and refillable CO2 canister. The bladder is secured within an external denier nylon zippered bag, which restricts the inflation potential of the internal bladder. The external bag is colored blaze orange for exceptional visibility with mirrored Mylar sections to reflect both sunlight and radar. A strobe light is integrally attached to the bladder with an on/off switch within the activation container, which can be operated manually. The floatation system can be removed from the craft, while inflated or deflated, and used in an auxiliary mode.

Description

EMERGENCY INFLATABLE STABILIZATION AND FLOATATION DEVICE
This invention provides an Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device designed specifically for use on craft under impending distress or risk of capsizing/sinking due to rough seas or structural failure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been many differing designs of floatation systems created to help in the prevention of the sinking/capsizing of waterborne craft. However, all of these previous inventions were not designed to be as user friendly in installation, usage, and operation compared to this current innovation. Currently there in nothing manufactured to function specifically as an emergency float system that can be easily attached to existing vessels without major modifications, effort or difficulty. Every week there is news of another vessel somewhere in the world sinking or capsizing with ensuing loss of life. In many of these cases, if not most, having an emergency floatation device could have prevented the craft from sinking or at least allowed the operators/passengers to have more time to evacuate properly.
Some of the previous floatation system designs are:
Cited documents: CA1324538BRUNDRITT

The designs listed above have been attempts at providing an emergency floatation device for waterborne craft in distress situations. However they have shortcomings that have prevented them from being used in the mainstream markets. This invention solves the shortcomings of the previous attempts and offers watercraft operators another line of defense in the prevention of sinking andlor capsizing and further loss of life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is of an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device that can be externally attached to a wide variety of vehicles or craft to provide buoyancy to the vehicle or craft during a situation of distress while on the open water. The device can be manufactured in a variety of sizes suitable to handle the buoyancy requirements of any size or shape of craft.
Unlike previous attempts at establishing a viable inflatable floatation system, this invention requires a minimal amount of structural changes to any craft and is also portable for ease of removal to another vessel.
The purpose of this invention is to create the circumstances that would provide the user with the maximum possibility of survival should their craft be in danger or capsize in rough seas or sinking due to structural failure or other unforeseen circumstances.
There are many fme emergency inflatable devices in the form of life rafts, life vests or survival suits and all are viable and necessary. This invention does not preclude these devices, but augments them by providing more time for the operator or passengers to take necessary steps to enhance their chances of survival. In many instances a craft succumbs to the inundation from water and capsizes or sinks, providing little warning and even less time to make adequate provisions for survival. What this invention does is extend that window of opportunity to allow proper steps to be taken to survive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (continued) The floatation device is as simple as it is effective. A series of inflatable bladders contained within their own tough outer casing are inflated around the craft through a single pull on an activation cable, either manually or electrically, releasing compressed carbon dioxide gas (C02) from a refillable and replaceable canister. Simultaneously the cable releases an optional safety catch opening the elongated pod holding the substantially deflated and folded floatation bladders.
Additionally the same cable operates a pull switch attached to emergency strobe light or lights, attached to each floatation device. With the bladders inflated around the craft, it provides additional stability from being swamped or capsizing in rough water. The outer denier nylon casing, colored in blaze orange as well as the flashing of strobe lights provide search and rescue additional help in locating the craft in distress. It also provides the occupants time to prepare to abandon ship if so desired, however, the buoyancy provided by sufficiently sized bladders should maintain the floatability of the craft even if totally inundated with water. Being set adrift in turbulent water is traumatic enough even with an adequate survival raft and provisions, however it is the unfortunate experience of far too many victims of accidents at sea to be exposed to the open water with little more than a life jacket, due to the speed of a craft sinking before sufficient preparations could be made. These inflatable bladders are designed to be re-used many times and are able to be re-packed and re-charged with a fresh COZ canister be the operator. This allows for earlier activation of the device in rough water, just to be on the safe side. This in itself will save a lot of lives by taking steps before capsizing to increase the stability and buoyancy of the craft. If the craft becomes partially submerged due to a structural failure of the hull, it will continue to remain a float due to the buoyancy of the bladders. This allows time to make distress calls by radio, and/or gather provisions and prepare to abandon ship. It also allows the people on board to simply stay with their partially submerged craft, which would provide more security from sharks, less exposure to the elements and a much larger target for search and rescue to locate. Another potential use for this Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device is on vessels that are not intended to travel on water, but do on occasion travel over or near water and have the possibility of becoming in distress in deep water, due to unforeseen circumstances. Such vessels as private aircraft, automobiles and snowmobiles do on occasion become exposed to deep water, either from mechanical failure, accidentally or inattention by the operator. On those occasions these vessels, which are not designed to float, begin to sink within seconds and are totally submerged in less than a minute. This allows no time for the occupants to take measures to improve their chances of survival. With this Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device in place, the occupants would increase their chances of survival many fold, in these situations, by providing additional time to make a distress call and continue to stay floating until help arrives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device (EISFD) is described in four primary sections and one that shows the mounting of an EISFD on different types of craft. The main structure and pod of the floatation device are indicated with an "A". The activation mechanisms and COa apparatus are indicated with a "B". The inflatable bladders, containment bag and additional accessories are indicated with a "C". The catch mechanism and attachment apparatus are indicated with a "D". The mounting of EISFD's on different craft is indicated with an "E".
A-la indicates the upper half of the exterior casing of the pod, which encloses the inflatable bladder within.
A-lb indicates the lower half of the exterior casing of the pod, which encloses the inflatable bladder within.
A-2 indicates the hinge section, which joins the pod to the attachment bracket A-4. The hinge encases a coil spring, which holds the pod tightly against the attachment bracket.
A-3 indicates the thickened polymer section, which encases one end of the coil spring and holds it tightly against A-1.
A-4 indicates the attachment brackets, which are used to secure the pod to the craft with bolts.
A-5 indicates the brackets, which attach the web straps surrounding the inflation pod bag C-1 securely to the craft.
A-6 indicates the opening through which the high-pressure carbon dioxide gas {C02) tube passes for attaching to the deflated bladder.
A-7 indicates a quick release clevis, which holds the web strap A-8 to the attachment bracket A-5.
A-8 indicates the portion of the web strap, which attaches to the bracket A-5 with clevis A-7.
A-9 indicates the clamp that is secured to the web straps inside of the pod to restrict the size of encircling web (C-3), which holds the inflation pod bag.
A-10 indicates the high-pressure tube through which passes the C02 as it inflates the bladder.
A-11 indicates the openings in the back of the pod through which the web straps A-8 pass.
B-1 indicates the gunwale of a boat, as an example, to which a pod and activation device is attached.
B-2 indicates the portion of the COZ tube, which extends from the directional flow valve B-3 to the outside ofthe craft.
B-3 indicates a directional flow valve, which directs COZ gas into or out of the inflation bladder.
B-4 indicates the refillable COa canister, which supplies the compressed gas to inflate the bladder.
B-5 indicates the external casing of the activation apparatus.

B-6 indicates the spring clamps, which hold the replaceable COZ canister in the container B-5.
B-7 indicates the junction where the cable from the catch release mechanism and the cable to the D-ring and cable from the strobe light switch are connected.
B-8 indicates the safety catch release cable that is attached to the pulley on the electric motor B-16.
B-9 indicates the D-ring, which is used to manually release the catch mechanism D-1, the pod A-1 and to activate the C02 release valve B-21 and the strobe light switch B-10.
B-10 indicates the on/offpull switch, which activates the strobe light.
B-11 indicates the waterproof case, which holds the D-cell batteries that power the strobe light.
B-12 indicates the D-cell batteries, which provide power to operate the strobe light.
B-13 indicates the spring clamps located on the bottom of the container enclosing the activation apparatus, which are designed to hold a hand operated manual air pump.
B-14 indicates the main body of the hand operated manual air pump.
B-15 indicates the flexible hose, which attaches the manually operated air pump to the locking nozzle that attaches to the valve stem (C-6) of the inflation bladder.
B-16 indicates the electrical motor used to activate the catch release mechanism (D-1), as well as the COZ release valve (B-21) and strobe light switch (B-10) when used in the automatic mode.
B-17 indicates the bolts, which pass through the attachment bracket (A-4) and secure the inflation pod container to the craft.
B-18 indicates the port, which allows the pressure to escape from the inflated bladder. It can also be used to attach a vacuum device to completely deflate the bladder to facilitate re-packing of the inflation bladder into the pod casing.
B-19 indicates the valve handle on unit B-3, which is used to direct the flow of COZ to the bladder or to release the pressure from the bladder.
B-20 indicates the tension spring, which holds the valve handle in a position that allows the C02 to pass into the bladder once the COa valve (B-21 ) is activated.
B-21 indicates the valve on the COZ canister that releases COZ into the bladder.
B-22 indicates a pressure gauge, which indicates the status of the pressure within the COa canister.
B-23 indicates the backing plate, which allows the activation cable (D-14) to pass through the casing and into the interior of the box.
B-24 indicates the lockable nozzle end of the manual air pump hose (B-15), which attaches to the valve stem (C-6) on the bladder.
B-25 indicates the pulley attached to the electrical motor (B-16), used to automatically activate the inflation device.

B-26 indicates the electrical wiring, which runs from the battery pack (B-11) to the on/off switch of the strobe light pull switch (B-10).
B-27 indicates the junction where the cable (B-28) from the C02 release valve (B-21 ) and the cable from the on/off pull switch for the strobe light are connected.
B-28 indicates the cable, which runs from junction B-27 to the C02 release valve (B-21).
B-29 indicates the rubber seal on the top of the activation apparatus container through which the C02 tube and electrical wiring to the strobe light pass.
B-30 indicates the short section of COZ tube, which runs from the COZ valve (B-21) to the directional flow valve (B-3).
B-31 indicates the attachment eyelets, which are used to secure the activation apparatus container to the craft.
C-I indicates the denier nylon containment bag, which encloses the inflation bladder. The bag is colored blaze orange for superior visibility.
C-la indicates the inflation bag in a deflated state.
C-2 indicates the strobe light, which is attached to the inflation bladder and protrudes through an opening in C-1 between the two zippers.
C-3 indicates the web straps, which surround the containment bag and hold it firmly to the craft.
C-4 indicates the mirrored mylar strips attached to the containment bag to facilitate both sunlight and radar reflection.
C-5 indicates the zippers on the containment bag through which the deflated bladder passes.
C-6 indicates the valve stem, which allows for manual inflation of the bladder with a hand operated air pump.
C-7 indicates the female end of the COa connection, which receives the COa section A-10 thereby depressing an internal valve pin and allowing the COa gas to move freely into the bladder upon activation. Once unscrewed the pin in the valve stem will release and allow the bladder to remain inflated.
C-8 indicates the opening in the containment bag C-1 through which the strobe light C-2 protrudes.
C-9 indicates the opening in the containment bag C-1 through which the C02 connection protrudes to be connected to A-10.
D-1 indicates the main body of the catch mechanism located on the A-Ib portion of the containment pod.

D-2 indicates the opening on D-1 through which the spring-loaded locking pin D-5 penetrates to secure the pod sections in a closed position.
D-3 indicates the tab portion of the catch mechanism, which is attached to A-la and fits into the slot on D-1 to allow the spring-loaded locking pin D-5 to hold sections D-3 and D-1 together.
D-4 indicates the guide stop attached to A-16, which guides the locking pin in D-5 into the opening of D-2.
D-5 indicates the spring-loaded locking pin, which secures the containment pod closed.
D-6 indicates the stop attached to D-5, which restricts the movement of D-5 and is used to provide compression to the spring D-7.
D-7 indicates the compression spring through which the locking pin D-5 passes.
D-8 indicates the guide stop, which is used to guide the locking pin D-5 and provide a stop for the movement of the compression spring D-7.
D-9 indicates the eyelet on D-5 to which the cable D-10 is attached.
D-10 indicates the short length of cable that attaches to D-9 eyelet and passes through pulley D-13 to facilitate the retraction of one side of the catch release mechanism.
D-11 indicates the opening within the body of the containment pod, which houses the inflation bladder and outer bag.
D-12 indicates the slots designed to receive tabs D-18 on one edge of the cover D-16.
D-13 indicates the pulleys through which the cables D-10 pass to facilitate the retraction of the locking pins.
D-14 indicates the single cable, which is attached to both D-10 cables and proceeds into the activation apparatus container.
D-15 indicates the slots on A-lb designed to receive the tabs D-17 on the cover plate D-16.
D-16 indicates the cover plate, which attaches to the lower section A-lb of the containment pod to protect the catch release mechanism.
D-17 indicates the tabs on the cover plate designed to fit into slots D-15 on section A-lb.
D-18 indicates the tabs on the cover plate designed to fit into slots D-12 on section A-lb.
D-19 indicates a portable clamp, which can be connected to attachment bracket A-4 to allow the pod to be quickly attached or removed from a small craft such as a canoe.
E-1 indicates the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device (EISFD) attached to a high wing private aircraft.
E-2 indicates the EISFD once it is activated on a private aircraft.

E-3 indicates various mounting locations for the EISFD on a low wing aircraft.
E-4 indicates the EISFD activated on a low wing aircraft.
E-5 indicates the possible mounting of an EISFD on a helicopter.
E-6 indicates the EISFD mounted on the aft section of a sailboat.
E-7 indicates the forward mounted position of the EISFD on a sailboat.
E-8 and E-9 indicates the EISFD once activated, providing substantial stabilization and floatation to the sailboat.
E-10 indicates the front view of the EISFD mounted on either side of a canoe.
E-11 indicates the EISFD on a canoe in an activated position providing substantial stabilization in rough water.
E-12 indicates a side view of the EISFD mounted on a canoe.
E-13 indicates a top view of the EISFD mounted on a canoe.
E-14 indicates the activated EISFD on a canoe providing substantial floatation and stabilization.
E-15 indicates the mounting of an EISFD on the front of a snowmobile.
E-16 indicates the mounting position of an EISFD on the back of a snowmobile.
E-17 and E-18 indicates the side view of the activated EISFD on a snowmobile.
E-19 and E-20 indicates the top view of the activated EISFD on a snowmobile providing enough buoyancy to keep the craft from sinking should it break through the thin ice on a body of water.
E-21 and E-22 indicates the side view of EISFD's mounted on an automobile.
E-23 and E-24 indicates the top view of EISFD's activated on an automobile providing enough buoyancy to keep the vehicles from sinking should it find itself in deep water.
E-25 indicates the EISFD mounted in a small boat.
E-26 indicates the activated EISFD on a small boat providing substantial stability in rough water.
E-27 indicates the EISFD mounted on the forward section of a powerboat.
E-28 indicates the EISFD mounted on the rear section of a powerboat.
E-29 indicates the activated EISFD on the forward section of the powerboat.
E-30 indicates the activated EISFD on the rear section of the powerboat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1. Shows a top view, looking down onto the high-density polymer containment pod.
Figure 2. Shows an oblique view from the rear of the containment pod with both attachment brackets and web strap brackets in place.
Figure 3. Shows an oblique view of the open pod from the front, exposing the web straps that secure the inflatable pontoons to the craft.
Figure 4. Shows an end view of the pod with the attachment brackets in a down position.
Figure 5. Shows an end view of the pod with the attachment brackets in an up position with the coil spring in the hinge under heavy tension.
Figure 6. Shows a cross section view of a gunwale with the containment pod on the outside and the inner workings of the activation device on the inside.
Figure 7. Shows a frontal view of the inner workings of the activation device.
Figure 8. Shows an end view of an inflated pontoon with the containment pod opened.
Figure 9. Shows a side view of an inflated pontoon indicating the securing web straps, the strobe light and mylar sections.
Figure 10. Shows a view of a substantially deflated and folded pontoon to be inserted into a pod.
Figure 11. Shows a side view of an inflated pod of a different size and shape.
Figure 12. Shows a side view of a partially inflated outer containment casing, indicating the securing web straps.
Figure 13. Shows an end view of an internal inflatable bladder with the strobe light and valve stem.
Figure 14. Shows a top view of a partially inflated outer casing indicating the position of the web straps, zippers and openings through which the strobe light and valve stem protrude.
Figure 15. Shows a top view of a substantially deflated internal pontoon, indicating the strobe light and valve stem connection.
Figure 16. Shows a close up view of the optional safety catch mechanism holding the pod closed.
Figure 17. Shows an end view of the containment pod and attachment bracket, with optional screw clamp used for attaching the pod temporarily to a small craft.
Figure 18. Shows an oblique view of the underside of the containment pod and safety catch mechanism.
Figure 19. Shows a representation of a private aircraft with the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device mounted underneath.

Figure 20. Shows a representation of a private aircraft with the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device mounted underneath and inflated.
Figure 21. Shows a representation of a low-wing aircraft with various mounting positions of pods and inflated pontoons.
Figure 22. Shows a representation of a small helicopter with an Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device mounted underneath.
Figure 23. Shows a representation of a sailboat with multiple Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods attached.
Figure 24. Shows a representation of a sailboat with multiple Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods attached and inflated.
Figure 25. Shows an end view of a canoe with two Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods attached.
Figure 26. Shows an end view of a canoe with two Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods attached and inflated.
Figure 27. Shows a side view of a canoe and placement of the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 28. Shows a top view of a canoe and placement of the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 29. Shows a top view of a canoe and placement of the inflated Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 30. Shows an oblique view of a snowmobile with a potential mounting position for the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pod on the front of the craft.
Figure 31. Shows an oblique view of a snowmobile with a potential mounting position for the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pod on the rear of the craft.
Figure 32. Shows a side view of a snowmobile with the Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device inflated.
Figure 33. Shows a top view of a snowmobile indicating the size and positioning of the inflated Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device.
Figure 34. Shows a side view of an automobile with an Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods mounted on the front and rear.
Figure 35. Shows a top view of an automobile with an Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods mounted on the front and rear and inflated.

Figure 36. Shows a representation of an open top powerboat with mounted Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods.
Figure 37. Shows a representation of an open top powerboat with mounted Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods and inflated.
Figure 38. Shows a representation of a cabin cruiser with Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods mounted.
Figure 39. Shows a representation of a cabin cruiser with Emergency Inflatable Stabilization and Floatation Device pods mounted and inflated.

Claims (35)

1. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device comprised of three separate sections that when integrated can be deployed to stabilize and provide floatation to a craft on water which is in distress.

2. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device consisting of an exterior cylindrical pod constructed of high-density resilient polymer.

3. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2, comprised of a cylindrical pod divided in half along the length of the cylinder forming two half cylinders and creating a cavity within which the substantially deflated and folded bladder can be stored. When opened and viewed from the end of the cylinder it resembles an open clam shape.

4. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having two or more slots cut out of both half cylinders on one adjoining edge to form an opening wide enough to pass the heavy web strap through, which is designed to secure the buoyancy apparatus to the craft.

5. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having a half circle shape cut from both sections of the cylindrical pod on the adjoining edge forming a round opening through which the inflating gas tube may enter the pod.

6. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having a minimum of two heavy duty hinges securing one adjoining edge of each half forming the pod.

7. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having a heavy duty coil spring integrated into the top hinge mechanism, which provides closing tension to the hinge to keep the two halves of the pod in a closed position.

8. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having an elongated bracket attached to the hinge and accommodating the other end of the heavy duty coiled spring so as to provide the anchor position to which the coil spring pulls the pod towards once the bracket is securely attached to the craft.

9. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 2 having a catch mechanism molded into each half of the cylinder tube along the opposite adjoining edge from the hinge mechanism.

10. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 9 having two coiled compression springs through which two cylindrical pods pass and are used to affix both halves of the cylinder pod together when the rods pass through the openings in the molded portions on each half.

11. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 9 having a cable attached to the eyelet on each catch rod, which then extends around a pulley and attaches to a single cable used to apply equal tension to both cables at one time, thus retracting the rods and releasing the pod halves.

12. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having a shield device constructed of high-density polymer and designed to snap into slots in the bottom half of the cylindrical pod, thereby protecting the pulley and cable apparatus from damage.

13. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device, which employs an activation mechanism attached to the inner side of the craft containing the apparatus required to inflate the stabilization pod and activate the emergency strobe light.

14. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13 containing a replaceable and refillable pressurized CO2 gas canister of suitable size to fully inflate the floatation bladder to a rigid extent.

15. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13, which employs a directional valve to biasly direct the released CO2 gas from the C02 gas canister to the deflated floatation bladder.

16. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 14 having a pressure indication gauge located between the CO2 gas canister connection and the directional flow valve to allow the operator to monitor the available pressure within the CO2 gas canister.

17. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 16, which allows the operator to biasly direct the flow of CO2 gas from the inflated bladder to the deflation port located on the face of the directional valve.

18. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 17, which employs a coiled tension spring attached to the valve handle of the CO2 gas canister, maintaining the valve in a position so as to direct the flow from the CO2 gas canister to the deflated bladder.

19. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13, comprised within the activation apparatus, a pull switch to control the on/off activation of the emergency strobe light.

20. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13 having a cable activation system designed to manually activate the release of the safety catch on the pod, as in claim 9, to open the valve on the CO2 gas canister and to activate the switch controlling the emergency strobe light with one pull of a D-ring attached to the cable.

21. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13 having a watertight battery pack designed to hold a series of D-cell batteries to provide long-term operation for the emergency strobe lights.

22. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 13 having a set of spring clips attached to the bottom of the activation apparatus casing designed to hold a manually operated air pump.

23. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization arid floatation device having a cylindrical buoyancy device composed of an inner inflatable bladder and an external non-stretchable durable fabric casing.

24. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having an inflatable bladder composed of a relatively thin, but tough, airtight PVC material.

25. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having an inflatable bladder, which has the base of a strobe light, sandwiched into the PVC fabric and located on the top surface of the inflated floatation bladder.

26. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having an inflatable bladder, which has a valve stem attached to one end of the cylinder near the upper edge to facilitate manual inflation of the bladder.

27. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having an inflatable bladder with a valve stem located on the side of the bladder at midsection designed to attach to the CO2 gas canister for inflating the bladder.

28. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having a two-part strobe light, the wiring and lower base section being sandwiched within the PVC
material of the bladder and the upper strobe section being removable and able to be unscrewed from the base and replaced if damaged.

29. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 23 having an exterior cylindrical casing bag constructed of medium weight denier nylon, non-stretchable fabric material, with an elongated opening on the top surface designed to allow the inflatable bladder to be placed inside and secured with two zippers built into the casing bag.

30. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 29 having an exterior coloration of blaze orange for superior visibility when deployed.

31. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 29 having two or more large sections of mirrored mylar film to reflect both sunlight and radar.

32. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device as in claim 29 having openings created into the denier nylon casing designed to allow the strobe light, as well as both valve stems attached to the inflatable bladder, to protrude through the casing.

33. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having a minimum of two heavy-duty web straps surrounding the outer casing bag designed to hold the inflated apparatus securely, with the trailing ends passed through the slot openings as in claim 4.

34. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having attachment brackets attached to the ends of the heavy-duty web straps, to facilitate secure attachment to the surface of the craft involved.

35. I claim an emergency inflatable stabilization and floatation device having an attachment bracket with a quick release clevis pin designed to allow the buoyancy apparatus to be removed from the craft while in an inflated state if required.