First Inflatable Wetsuit Improves Safety for Surfers Hangin’ 10
- Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:30am by
Liz Klimas
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Retired world champion surfer Shane Dorian can now claim the totally righteous title of inventor. He with the help of a designer and survival wear manufacturer created the world’s first inflatable wetsuit.
Sounds superfluous? Not when you’re catching 20-foot plus waves like Dorian. In fact, it was a near death experience from such a wave that gave Dorian the inspiration for this wetsuit.
Watch the wetsuit in action:
Gizmodo has the story:
In 2010, while attacking monstrous waves at Mavericks—a notoriously dangerous surf spot in California—Dorian suffered the worst wipeout of his life. He was pushed down to the ocean floor (25 feet below the surface) and held there as two more waves steamrolled him. He nearly drowned.
Dorian, wetsuit designer Hub Hubbard and survival wear manufacturer Mustang Survival brought the Billabong VI wetsuit to fruition. Though not available commercially yet, Dorian has tested the wetsuit and said he hasn’t been held under for more than 10 seconds. The wetsuit which propels a person toward the surface of the water by inflating immediately like an airplane life vest would. As reported by Gizmodo, after pulling a cord, a carbon dioxide cartridge inflates an air bladder than shoots the person to the surface.
And that‘s a good thing with Dorian’s biography on the Surfline website quoting him as saying he couldn’t wait to surf 100-foot wave someday.
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Ne_FAL
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:41pmThe bladder that inflates is on the wrong side of the wet suit, the bladder will inflate & cause you to rise to the surface& when you get their it will tend you to be face down in the water if the bladder is on the front when you get to the surface you float in the face up position. If injured during the wipe-out surfacing in the face down position tends to lead to drowning ,surfacing in the face up position not so much.
Report Post »Afungi
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 11:28pmI surf and kayak what I have found is a buoyancy compensateor (BC)from my scuba equipment is the way to go. It gives a face up floatation, has the same setup for inflating and also mouth inflation. The one thing you do not want to do is go over the top. 110 foot drop onto one or two foot of water over coral will brake a board that can be driven over by a car without braking. a 20 foot drop hurts a 60 foot brakes bones nobody goes over the top on a 100 foot and lives. The only thing I wish is if I could get an O2 canister or even just air would be great to be give a good lung of air. 30 to 40 more seconds can make a big difference.
Report Post »RestoreCapitalism
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:57amToo bad it will be outlawed because it uses a co2 cartridge, and will be a taboo,
Report Post »Skee
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:12pmwetsuit+flatulant=floatation device
Report Post »wetsuit+urine= anti hypothermia device
All of these discoveries happened years
ago, approx. a day after the invention
of the wetsuit. Atleast you can carry a
clean and reliable air supply, in a pinch.
TwoMinuteMan
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:26pmI would have put the inflation device on the front, or front and back like a floatation vest. Putting it on the back doesnt let you float with your face up naturally which could be a problem if you blacked out while on your way up. You’d be getting a snoot full of water every time you took a breath.
Report Post »gunslingerpatriot
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:13pmNice invention, simliar concept, but the US Navy has had a “Float Coat” since at least 1986 for Sailors that are washed overboard or blown off the flight deck. My last one had an automatic inflation mechnisim that if submerged for more than XX of seconds, it would automatically inflate even if I couldn’t pull the lanyard to do it myself.
Report Post »borbs
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:37pmBack in the 60′s & 70′s when I was teaching, we scuba divers used something called a “safety vest” with a CO2 cartridge for inflation. They were notoriously unreliable due to the corrosive action of sea water on the inflation activator. We later started referring to them as “Personal Flotation Devices,“ to avoid the connotation of them being a ”safety device.” And the one time I actually had to use mine while underwater, I hardly “shot to the surface.”
Report Post »CHULAIGUY
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:47amTotaly awsome, DUDE !
Report Post »Evon22
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:19amthis could be a great break through for all types of underwater recreation sports. I think this may be just the beginning of better suits for many water sports. However, this is not a invention it is a design adaptation An invention is like a scuba tank or a light bulb
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:38amIt amazes me how far we have fallen, calling this an invention ranks up there with calling Al Gore a genius.
Report Post »newt
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:05pmwhy hate on something that can save lives?
Report Post »DanWesson455
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:12amGood for him. 2 reasons. He saw and he conquered with a need and a answer. It will save or at least keep safe those who choose to use it. Right on Dude.
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:55amSoooo totally awesome dude — beachin!
Report Post »CorpsmanToPA
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:09amA true entrepreneurial spirit; see a need and be the first to do something about it. Too bad this was not there years ago for Mark Foo and many others.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:56amAwesome!
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:23amGreat idea, and if you paint a face on it, you might be surprised at how good a companion it makes.
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:10amAnd this is what capitalism looks like! The sooner DC figures that out and gets the hell out of our way the sooner this “recession” thing will be over with.
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:45amSurfing, kayaking, running, fast walking, bicycling and all other activity‘s should be forbidden to to possible injury’s or death.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:49pmHEY I could slip in the bathtub; should bathing be outlawed??????
Report Post »theonounser
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:57amMake sure you check with uncle Al before you use it. {Gore}
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:13amAL Gore is going have a fit over the c02.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:20amdo to regulation and taxes , product no longer available
signed………….Current Administration and the epa
Report Post »E-PITCHFORK
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:12amshould incorporate a bustline bladder in the front, if the surfer get knocked unconscious underwater by a rock or a faceplant, the rear bladder will hold them face down at the surface.
Report Post »RootsOfTruth
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:12amI was thinking the same thing… but then it hit me, if they’re unconscious… I don‘t think they’ll be pulling the trigger to inflate the bladder.
Tremendous invention tho… & I see it being a big hit in the surfing community
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:47amNeat device!! People in Kayaks need that thing too
Report Post »Charb
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:00amOr, people in Kayaks could wear life-vests. Just sayin’
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:08amI suspect the concept can be implemented into many different clothing articles. The gas cylinder might be replaced with some device which uses dried chemicals or a small amount of liquid to make the gas.
Report Post »LMW
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:46amGreat idea and it will save lives.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:44amHopefully they’ll come out with a model with a remote control fart machine included. it would be a shame for all that gas to go to waste.
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