>An optional inflation tube 120 may be provided (from a similar optional tube/canister 122), or a ship compressed air/oxygen tank directly into the lower portion of the zipper 124, so that a measure of air is within the hood 118 (as well as the suit internal central chamber 502). Once inflated, the user steps into the escape hatch and floats to the surface while using the air inside the hood 118. Upon reaching the surface, they open the zipper 124 and proceed to breathe surface air.

Note that once inflated, pressure changes may risk the hood 118 ‘blowing up’. This may happen through catastrophic reasons (either inside the hatch/sub or through errors by a panicked operator), or naturally as the user goes ‘up’ from the sub/ocean bottom, and the resultant water pressure decreases. To eliminate this risk, and help prevent the ‘bends’, one or more optional one-way pressure release valves 126/128 may be built into any number of possible places within the hood. One place for such a valve 128 would be near the entry to the manual inflation tube 130, another 126 near the outside of the hood 118. The hood 118 may be completely transparent to facilitate vision by the user, or in other embodiments have opaque portions.

In this fashion, the user may have inside said hood 118 enough air to breathe during the submarine exit and ascent to the surface. In another embodiment, there is a small air gap at one or more points of the base 132 of the hood 118, and the extra air simply escapes through it as the hood ascends, the outside pressure if decreased (and hence the hood 118 expands to its maximum), with excess air volume escaping.

The suit 100 itself is comprised of a singular pneumatic internal cavity divided into a torso 104, hood or head cover 102, two arms 108 and two legs 106. In one embodiment, integral mittens 112 are placed at the end of the arm 108 extensions, a hood assembly at the head opening and a foot area adjustment external strap assembly 110 at the end of the leg 106 extensions. Both the front of the suit 100 and back 200 of the suit may contain one or more high visibility features 202/204 to facilitate location of the user in open water or ice. In another embodiment, the integral mittens 112 may be replaced with removable mittens or gloves, coupled to the sleeve by a watertight/airtight seal, and more preferably if a wrist/forearm band is added so as to prevent pneumatic communication of the internal central chamber 502 with the outside when the glove is removed.

A particular advantage of one embodiment of such a garment is the ability to at times function without completely taking it off. As seen 300/400 in FIGS. 3-4, the addition of internal suspenders 302/402 in combination with a front opening/closing component 304 (said component may be a zipper, hooks and loops (e.g., Velcro™) or other suitable sealing mechanisms) so that water is kept outside the waterproof layer 900 of the suit. These suspenders 302/402 are valuable, as they allow the wearer a way in which to reduce/eliminate overheating (by opening the front of the suit 304) while maintaining mobility and quick re-sealing of the suit (say in the event of a quick squall) while on top of a survival vessel (raft/boat) or an icefloe.

While the suit may be donned in any position, even while standing, the ability to lay it flat before sliding into it has advantages when users are on an unstable or damaged ship. As we see in FIG. 5, when laid flat 500 the user may quickly don it by entering the cavity, in a fashion similar to that of entering a sleeping bag.

In one embodiment, the suit is built from a composite fabric (FIGS. 6A-6C), with emphasis on both waterproofing and minimizing heat transfer from the inside (provided by the human within) and the exterior. In one embodiment, 600, this is accomplished by creating a multi-layer structure that begins with an inner layer 604, preferably a nylon, more preferably a ripstop nylon or equivalent, placed against the cavity/space 602 within the suit. Outside this layer, we place a Bubble material layer 606, comprised of the traditional air captured layers formed into 10 mm diameter bubbles and one or more optional reflective foil covers 612 (typically an aluminized foil or mylar), preferably the reflective foil cover being applied to one or both surfaces of the one or more layers of bubbles.

While many configurations and sizes of bubbles are envisioned, in one embodiment, we use a bubble layer 606 similar to that seen in FIGS. 6B-6C. In one embodiment, the bubbles form a cylinder of diameter from 5 mm to 15 mm, and height from 3 mm to 6 mm (see as an example TempShield™ Bubbles Foil/White, Radiant Foil, Style TS-SBFW-48). We note that even though the shown shape for the bubbles is a cylindrical one, other suitable shapes include spheres, squares, rectangles, etc. This bubble material, traditionally used for insulation in construction sites, may be found under the TempShield™ brand as single 606 or double bubbles 650 as well as the option of a reflective metalized material between them, forming in one embodiment a 3 mm to 6 mm thick material (which may be double or triple or more layered) with bubbles that are in one embodiment 10 mm diameter, but may range from 5 mm to 15 mm diameter. The bubble layer 606 may be obtained from a supplier such as Radiant Foil.

The gas bubbles trapped within the bubbles layer 606 act as an insulating layer, which will minimize the wearer's heat from escaping the inside cavity of the suit where the user lies. The smaller size allows for significant flexibility in wearability.

The preferred ripstop nylon layer 604 is secured, preferably sewn, into the bubble layer 606 along the edges, significantly improving the seam integrity by forming a composite that resists stretching, while allowing for the wearer's skin/clothing to slide easily with in the pneumatic internal cavity.

In one embodiment, the bubbles in the bubble material layer are all about 10 mm diameter, although other suitable sizes may be used. In one embodiment, we use them with a diameter of from 5 mm to 15 mm, with 10 mm preferred, more preferably uniformly sized bubbles. The bubbles are preferably filled with air at atmospheric pressure, but may be filled with other gases, e.g., nitrogen, helium, argon, Sulfur hexafluoride, C₄F₇N, etc. having heat transfer characteristics, or at different atmospheric pressures, provided that the resulting bubbles are at least as effective as air.

While many size bubbles may be used, the more common 10 mm bubble has shown a surprising, significant advantage over previous ‘larger bubble’ suits, including but not limited to increased mobility through less resistance from the suit, while at the same time allowing additional bubble layers in areas of increased heat loss. See e.g., FIG. 6B. As an example, the suit panels that comprise the back of the suit 802 (which under normal utilization would be under water when floating), may be comprised of a double bubble layer 606 (see e.g., FIG. 6C), instead of larger bubbles. Such a double panel would be stiffer, but would occur in an area of the suit where such stiffness is not a shortcoming. Again, although other suitable sizes may be used.

The CLO value reflects the degree of insulation provided by an article of clothing. A CLO value of 1 is equal to the amount of clothing required by a resting human to maintain thermal comfort at a room temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, or 71 degrees Fahrenheit (such as a business suit). A naked human has a CLO value of 0.0. Summer clothing has a CLO of 0.6. A downhill ski suit has a CLO of 2.0, and a heavy polar gear suit a CLO of 4.0 (such as an Eskimo ensemble). The use of single or double (or more) bubble layers (as in a preferred embodiment example of 10 mm) creates a cold weather suit 100 with a high CLO value of 4.87. One with a triple layer of bubbles in the back (three successive layers of 10 mm bubbles) would have CLO of 6.18. A suit in accordance with an embodiment having 10 mm bubbles with a double layer in the back having a CLO of about 4.87 is still significantly higher that the regulation suit which has to be CLO 0.75.

In one embodiment, the suit begins as two layers, the internal liner 604 which is sewn into the edges of the bubble layer 606 in the form of panels with a pattern, in effect the traditional way of mass suit construction. Sewing around the edges is critical, for the minimal number of perforations to the bubble layer 606 panels is desired. This results in a ‘bubble’ suit 700 seen in (FIGS. 7-8), which is a thermal envelope, but not waterproof. This thermal envelope is comprised of a central chamber 502 that is pneumatically connected to two leg extensions, two arm extensions and a head covering chamber.

One or more portions of said suit's 700 exterior surface is equipped with mechanical or chemical attachment components along portions of said suit. These may be components such as Velcro™ placed at locations 706/708/710 (i.e., Hooks and Loops or other similar mechanical attachment), chemical strips (glue/epoxy pads) or other similar components that will allow the inner thermal layer to be attached to the outer waterproof layer 900.

In one embodiment, an overlay for the bubble suit 700 is then created by taking similar patterns to those of the bubble envelope 700 and making a closely conforming outer suit (say 3% to 10% larger), cutting them from polyether film 608 (or other similar flexible waterproof material), and welding the ends/edges (through ultrasonic welding or needle threads that are melted), in order to create a waterproof outer shell 900, that envelopes the bubble suit 700. The bubble suit 700 has complementary attachment components to those placed on the exterior of the bubble at locations 706/708/710, but this time secured to the interior of the polyether film and placed within the interior of this impermeable shell 900. The bubble envelope, is then secured (via the complementary attachment component, e.g., Velcro™ or chemical strips or other structures) within the waterproof/impermeable shell, creating the first layer composite layer suit (Inner liner/bubble/polyether film) 900/1000. We note that the waterproof zippers/closures 904 are attached to the shell 900, in effect, this shell with the inner bubble suit 700 could be used. The main challenge, is that the film material 608 can be easily worn out, cause water to come in. However, in one embodiment, something like a light neoprene or polyurethane layer can bonded to the outside of the film 608, creating a simple suit. It should be understood that the aforementioned attachment may be permanent or not, depending on the attachment mechanism utilized, with non-permanent attachments, e.g., Velcro™ permitting replacement of a damaged component layer at needed.

In one embodiment, a more robust suit is accomplished, by creating another outer shell 1200, also 3% to 10% larger, which also closely conforms and envelopes (through similar slightly larger patterns using a material like Nylon (such as 200 Denier Oxford Nylon 610)) or other similar water-repellent, durable material. This layer, need not be waterproof, but simply water-repellent, so that as the suit is immersed, the weight will not increase significantly, but will have a durable, wear proof exterior ‘skin’ 1200 that protects against punctures/tears in the waterproof layer 900. Since some water may be trapped between the waterproof layer 900 and said outer shell 1200, one or more mesh layers 1506 are provided at portions of said outer layer 1200 to facilitate the draining of water trapped in the space between the 900 and the 1200 layers.

Attachment components, e.g., Velcro™ (i.e., hooks and loops), are attached to the outside of the impermeable shell 900 at locations such as 1002/1006/1008, and to complementary similar location within the outer shell 1200. Thus, the inner shell 900 (already containing the bubble envelope) is inserted within the outer shell and attached at similar points through complementary components located within the outer shell 1200. That is, the thermal 606, waterproof 900 and outer layer 1200 are anchored at specific points, but able to slide relative to each other slightly. The outer shell has one or more openings (either open or covered with a mesh) to allow any water caught between the waterproof 900 and outer layer 1200 to exit.

The above composite, multilayer fabric structure would be suitable for use in clothing and other shelters, such as sleeping bags, tents, rafts, etc. A similar combination (where the bottom of the raft/tent/bag) is made of double or more layers of bubbles 606, would result in a significantly insulating yet waterproof surface.

In other embodiments, the various layers, may be sewn, welded or otherwise suitably attached (including but not limited to other suitable mechanical and/or chemical means) together in various internal configurations (keeping the outer shell (made of something like Denier Oxford Nylon 610 on the outside), to create a thermal protective layer that will preserve the wearer's/occupant's heat. While in many cases when immersed in water, small amounts of liquid may seep in, the ability to contain the heat within the enclosure, would ensure that the wearer remains in conditions that would be superior to the simple immersion without the suit or enclosure.

The advantage of the insulated central cavity, inner chamber or enclosure 502 within which the human resides is critical when we envision a user residing within it as they potentially float within a body of water, on top of an ice floe, or even within a survival boat or raft. In all these situations, a modicum of water may enter the internal cavity 502, either as a result of immersion and/or through wave action or ocean spray. Such fluid however will be quickly warmed by the user's body temperature, and become an integral part of the internal cavity 502 thermal ecosystem. Since such captured water is isolated from the outside water because of the insulating layers, it will remain warm at/near body temperature.

Once the inner lining layer 604 (e.g., Ripstop nylon) is attached to the bubble material 606 (FIGS. 7-8), the shape of the suit 100 begins to take form as a thermal layer or bubble layered 700 form forming a cavity. The ripstop 604 internal layer is what comes in contact with the user's body (being inside the suit), and is attached to the outer (at this stage) bubble layer 606. We note that in one embodiment the exterior of this is shaped like a human (with options for various sizes, including an adult universal (for humans from 1.5 to 2 meters tall), Jumbo (taller humans to 2.2 m tall), Small humans, children and infants).

The suit's central cavity and head/arm/legs extensions form a single, pneumatically communicated chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber terminates into built in mittens 704 and booties 702 at the appendage extremities.

The inner layer 602 has two significant advantages. It facilitates the user sliding into the suit (something harder to do with the bubble material 606 surface against the skin), and also creates a composite that is insulating (the bubble material 606) while strong in tension (and against ripping) due to the inner layer 602. In one embodiment, an advantage of the composite, is that all the stitching is done around the edges, which are then folded inside the outermost layer, minimizing any stitching across the bubble layer 606 to areas where water won't be able to come in through the stitches into the interior.

In one embodiment (FIGS. 9-10), the inner bubble shape 700 is then enclosed 900 within a polyether film 608, which provides a waterproof/water-resistant layer, as well as further structural strength. The mittens 902 at the arm extensions remain sealed. The foot area 1004 begins to be defined around the ankles as well as providing a foot support pad 1202. Such a pad may be made of plastic, rubber, metal, carbon composite or other combinations, and provides a puncture resistant material (as the user may be moving around what is a chaotic environment with debris). This area will later to be enclosed within a sandal-like structure 1700.

Referring to FIG. 11, we see inside details of the personal items tent or pocket 504. This is an inside facing feature that has one or more pockets 1102, 1104 within which the user may place critical items within a reasonably weather proof area that is part of the inner chamber or inner cavity 502. In this fashion, water/liquids, medications, eyewear (contacts, glasses) and rations may be kept accessible and from freezing, passports/Identifications (IDs) from being lost or damaged, and electronics (radios/phones/smartphones/satellite-phones/iPads, etc. kept similarly safe.

The location is important, for the access to these inside pockets 1102/1104 from inside the suit allows the user to have access to the items within said pockets without opening the inner cavity 502 to the outside. By placing the pockets 1102/1104 inside the thermal envelope 700, they are kept thermally warm (through the user's body). Similarly, they may be placed within the waterproof layer 900. In both cases, the content of said pocket is kept dry. You simply slide your arms off the arm extensions 108 inside the enclosure and reach for them. When the splash guard 2102 is deployed, you may then make a radio call, eat or drink, all within the splash guard volume.

The suit 100 is then (FIG. 12) attached to the outer layer 610, with the mittens 1204 receiving a final tear proof material overlay (such as neoprene or rubber), and various high visibility marks 114, 202, 204, 1206, closure components 116, 1208, and other components. Such external materials offer the advantage of additional grip force.

The head area is important for providing adequate visibility/hearing to the users. In addition, an uncovered head is an area that loses a lot of heat. For this reason, a heat-retaining impermeable hood is embodied, with a water-resistant hood (FIG. 14) is envisioned in one embodiment 1400. In one embodiment, the majority of the user's head is enclosed within a cap 1406 formed from the same composite fabric as the rest of the suit. In another embodiment, the hood or cap 1406 fabric has a double layer of bubble material 606. The frontal area (that around the face) is comprised of a flexible polychloroprene partial mask 1402 for covering most of the face as the user finds comfortable. Materials such as Neoprene or other similar scuba fabrics are suitable. The partial mask 1402 neoprene edge is attached to the hood 1406 with cement or heat seal tape, sealing the area around it. Adjustment of the cap 1406 to each user is accomplished by one or more straps 1404 that allow cinching around the head.

When a user is going to spend significant amounts of time immersed in water, the suit provides natural flotation (thanks to the inner chamber 502 natural buoyancy), but the user may not find having their face constantly splashed by water. We see in the embodiment 2100, a transparent tent or splash guard 2102 surrounds the head cover 102. As shown, the user then may close all but a small opening 2104 allowing them to see around them, and continue relaxed, without constant water immersion/splashing on their face. In one embodiment, small tubes are placed at the area around said small opening 2104, to facilitate breathing.

A final and often overlooked component of the suit 100 is found around the foot area adjustment external strap 110. This area is consequential for two reasons. The first is that most users will be moving around a chaotic scene, which may have many puncturing components around the floor/ladder areas. Since the human wearing the suit is placing (usually) most if not all their body weight on the bottom portion of the external sole 1202, this needs to be strong and preferably treaded (as the users may have to climb or board other crafts, ladders, stairs, ice flows, etc.). In one embodiment, a material such as Q.B. Soling's VIBRAM™ or similar is used, providing superior traction on snow and ice while withstanding extreme heat.

In one embodiment, a stave, shank or flat stiff member 1504 is added between the external sole 1202 and the foot bottom. This is an important surface against which the user presses their foot sole or instep as they climb a stair or ladder. This also is an important portion of the walking motion, and particularly important when wearing the suit 100. In alternate embodiments, the area around the sole 1202 has additional fire-resistant components/mixtures added to it in case the user has to step over or through, e.g., platform/shipborne portions on fire.

This action of walking, while wearing the suit, requires additional features, which in one embodiment can best be seen in FIGS. 15-19. The flexing of the ankle, as one walks, requires the affirming of the foot in a heel to ball to front of foot motion, something that can be trying, when simply having a foot within a bag. Many of us have experienced this while attempting to walk with pants that are too long, so that the foot is enclosed within the pant length. In effect, we tend to trap the front of the pant on the front of the foot.

To eliminate that effect, in accordance with a preferred embodiment we begin with a foot area adjustment external strap 110 which surrounds the user's ankle 1502 and is attached to the outer layer 610 with a position securing component 1600 (e.g., Hooks and Loops, Ladder lock 1602, or similar), which would allow the user to tighten the foot area adjustment strap 110.

The outside foot area adjustment external strap 110 is designed to work cooperatively with an interior ‘sandal-like’ structure 1700, preferably mounted outside the Polyether film suit layer 608 and inside the outer layer