Drowning swimmers may soon be able to save their own necks with a think piece of cutting-edge technology that they can wear around their own necks.
Ploota is a new device that’s worn like a necklace and can inflate like an airbag when the sensors detect emergency situations in the water—similar to the airbags deployed in cars during head-on collisions.
The sensors react when the wearer has been submerged underwater for 30 seconds – and fills its integrated floats with a fitted CO2 cartridge.
That brings the swimmer back to the surface, with the head positioned above the water.
Founder Rainer Fakesch came up with the idea after a swimming accident during a family beach vacation. “A family member of mine underestimated the current and almost drowned,” Fakesch, 45, told Rex Shutterstock.
“Skiing, driving, mountain biking – there is protective equipment for almost every sport, except swimming.”
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