Immersion suit

Immersion suits usually have integral footwear, and a hood, and either built-in gloves or watertight wrist seals.

When inflated, both of these devices provide enhanced stability to the wearer, which, if conscious, allows them to keep the head above water, and to keep wind and seas from striking the face.

It was essentially a pair of rubber pants and shirt cinched tight at the waist with a steel band and strap.

Additionally, they could attach a small sail to save energy while slowly drifting to shore (because neither emergency radio transmitters nor rescue helicopters had been invented yet).

[4][5] This type is worn for long periods while working in circumstances where the risk of exposure is considered to be high.

[citation needed] An adult immersion suit is often a large bulky one-size-fits-all design meant to fit a wide range of sizes.

The suit is donned before leaving the submarine and then inflated to act as a liferaft when the sailor reaches the surface.

[citation needed] Survival suits are normally made out of red, fluorescent orange, or yellow fire-retardant neoprene, for high visibility at sea.

The neoprene material used is a synthetic rubber closed-cell foam, containing a multitude of tiny air bubbles making the suit sufficiently buoyant to also be a personal flotation device.

Low-cost quick-donning suits typically have an open neck from chest to chin, closed by a waterproof zipper.

However, the zipper is stiff and tightly compresses around the face resulting in an uncomfortable fit intended for short-duration use until the wearer can be rescued.

[citation needed] Suits intended for long-term worksuit use, or donned by rescue personnel, typically have a form-fitting neck-seal, with a hood that conforms to the shape of the chin.

The maintenance of the immersion suits kept on board of the vessels must be done according to the rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).