Not produced yet but i would wait.

But if your unconscious you wont be able to inflate either way.
Unless the hero auto inflates which I couldn't see.

These Big wave surfers are all trained Freedivers Usually. Most of them can hold their breath for well over 2 minutes.


Ive done alot of spearfishing and I think this device would be great for Diving.

It's always different when you are being held down. The energy you consume in the initial struggle, and later panic if you can't get up, can all make 45 seconds seem like years. I have had two close ones in 40+ years of surfing.
I have also saved someone who drowned in massive cloudbreak,(who has now been a close friend for over 20 years!)
Stoked to see a product like these.
In the early nineties I was on Tavarua during an epic swell. The Hawaiian crew that were there was Brock Little, a very young (17) Shane Dorian, and Todd Chesser. Those dudes were the three amigos. The week was an amazing 7 days of grinding surf, and watching those dudes was nothing short of thrilling! This was a triple A swell.
Couple of years later the worst happened for one of them:
Sadly, Cheese died while out surfing on an outer reef on the north shore. Very tragic story to a best friend of theirs.
So, I can really see the motivation in trying to design something like this. What is really so great is that he has taken something that really hit him hard in his life, and now maybe his efforts might save the lives of many.
Good for surfing in general. Designs will only improve. Won't save everyone, situations always vary, but.....it could make all the difference in the world after being pinned down by two waves.

PassingWind said...

These Big wave surfers are all trained Freedivers Usually. Most of them can hold their breath for well over 2 minutes.

Massive difference between diving and holding your breath .... And.. being held under and ragdolled by a big wave.

I have a similar device contained in a sorm jacket/vest (zip off sleeves) for sailing it works on the same bottle and inflatable neck support setup so the idea has been around for many years, but the more compact design for surfing is brilliant mo doubt billabong will refine it even more over the next few years
I believe you can also get self inflating ones that auto inflate upon hitting the water... Noit so good for surfing obviously, but good for ocean sailors or solo sailors where a boom hit or deck hit before going over may render them unconscious. These models are very $$$$$ though.

harry potter said...
These models are very $$$$$ though.

I doubt their more expensive than your life.

Has any one tried the pfd's that are incorporated in to wetsuits (non inflatable type)? I think they are usually aimed at watersking.

^^ yes i learnt with a waterski wet suit with its own floatation . was sweet you didnt have to worry about trying to dog paddel ect to keep afloat while you were geting all ya stuff sorted out . Though at the time was the best thing to learn with . Got hot in summer though but i would highly recomend it .