Tropes

www.dailymail.co.uk_sciencetech 2015 02724.txt.txt

#The armbands for adults: Kingii emergency wristband inflates to save wearers from drowning Everyone knows it possible to drown in even shallow and calm waters, but some people choose not to wear a life jacket, especially if it hot and theye on holiday. But now there a noninvasive wristband that deploys a buoyant balloon on demand to save wearers from drowning. The portable flotation device, named Kingii, is claimed to the world smallest inflatable to make activities such as sailing and surfing safer. A team in Gridley California, is raising money on Indiegogo to put the safety device into production and have seen phenomenal demand, raising almost $350, 000 (£222, 568) more than the $65, 000 (£41, 334) they aimed for so far. It says Kingii is he most universal, wearable water security device ever createdand its ultimate aim is to cut the number of deaths by drowning, which stands at 372,000 a year according to World Health Organisation figures. The device contains an inflatable nylon balloon that stored inside a small pouch next to a carbon dioxide cartridge. It intended to be strapped securely to an individual wrist and is said to be as reliable as a traditional life jacket, as well as more comfortable and less bulky. It can be inflated in less than one second by pulling a metal lever and triggering the CO2 cylinder to fill the balloon, which can pull a wearer towards the water surface. The wristband is said to be suitable for activities including swimming, surfing, kayaking, sailing and fishing, allowing for more freedom of movement than a life jacket, which can be up to 78 times larger. It also has a built-in compass and whistle attached to attract attention to the user. The company founder, Tom Agapiades came up with the idea after his friend drowned. fter I lost a friend in a preventable drowning accident, I developed Kingii as a way to promote the importance of water safety and, hopefully, end this type of tragedy once and for all, he said. ingii is the perfect alternative to life jackets for beginner and advanced swimmers of any age. ow, for those who would previously forgo wearing a life vest, they can have the same security without the restrictions or discomfort. he device is re-useable once the gas cylinder is removed and the nylon inflatable can be deflated and packed back into its pouch, ready for use when a new gas cylinder is installed. Kingii is available to pre-order via Indiegogo from $69 (£44) i

< Back - Next >