Flotation

Just because you're a strong open-water swimmer doesn't mean you'll never get into situations where there's a real risk of drowning. That's where the SwimVest comes in, as it's a wearable airbag system designed specifically for serious swimmers.

​When you see hardcore lake or ocean swimmers who are far from shore, you've gotta wonder – what happens if they get tired, or get a cramp? Well, there are flotation devices that they can use, although some of them are cumbersome. The Tekrapod, however, is designed not to be.

​A lot of people don't like wearing life jackets, as they find the things to be bulky and cumbersome. If you're such a person, then you might be interested in the Wingman, as it's claimed to be the world's thinnest.

​Which do you think would be easier to throw to someone who's drowning, a big ol' life preserver or a compact device about the size of a pop can? If you went with the latter – and if you spend a lot of time on the water – then you might be interested in OneUp.

​Four years ago, we heard about a neck-worn device that wirelessly transmits an alert if its wearer should happen to start drowning. Well, the Ploota takes things a step further – it actually deploys two airbags, to bring its user up to the surface.

Kingii is marketing what is calls the world’s smallest inflatable as an alternative to conventional vests. The focus of an Indiegogo campaign, the wrist-worn device is aimed at swimmers, surfers, sailors, and others who like getting their feet wet.

The Bobber is a floating handle for the GoPro HERO, to keep it afloat and easy to see if it's dropped in the water.

Restube is a small, lightweight, instant-inflatable lifesaving device.

The UKP13 (US$26) Waterbuoy is the first product in a family of automatic floatation devices that will recover your mobile phone, keys, GPS receiver, PDA, binoculars, VHF radio or anything else that drops overboard.

The Nebulus Emergency Flotation Device is a self-inflating, fast-deploying safety raft that allows a water or ice rescue to be performed by one person without waiting for back up.

October 31, 2006 History suggests humans have always been captivated with the possibility of walking on water with references to it in Christianity, Hinduism a

October 27, 2005 NEW IMAGES UPLOADED The Surf Shark and the Electric Dolphin are electric aquatic vehicles with a difference – instead of holding onto them a