Kingii – the wristband that saves you from drowning
Water sport enthusiasts take note: The age of bulky, annoying life jackets is over. A California development team has created a wristband that immediately pulls you back to the surface if you get in trouble in the water. It works a bit like an airbag. Read More
Kingii
The WHO estimates there are around 372,000 drowning deaths worldwide every year. This makes drowning the 3rd leading cause of accidental death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths.
Children and males – who have twice the overall mortality rate of females – are especially at risk of drowning. While the high mortality rate among children is often associated with a lapse in supervision, studies suggest that the greater numbers of males who drown can be attributed to increased exposure to water and riskier behaviour such as swimming alone, drinking alcohol before swimming alone, and boating.Some victims underestimate the danger of boat trips and choose not to wear a lifejacket even if one is available. How many of us have similarly refused a life-saving device, whether because most are too bulky and uncomfortable, or whether we just think we can swim like a pro and don’t want to look like a dork.
But protecting your own life could soon be very easy without having to don a clumsy vest: Our crowdfunding find of the week is Kingii, a revolutionary inflatable wristband that keeps you from drowning.
© Kingii Founder Tom Agapiades came up with this idea after he lost a close friend in a drowning accident. Kingii is an adjustable one-size wristband that weighs just 139 grams. It consists of a (rechargable) CO2 cylinder and an airbag.If the wearer suddenly begins to sink, all they have to do is pull the release tab and the carbon dioxide inflates the airbag. In just seconds, it pulls the potential drowning victim back to the safety of the water surface. Kingii is also equipped with a compass and whistle to help wearers get their bearing in the open water and attract help in an emergency.
Kingii can be used by any age group except infants. Children, parents and grandparents can be taught how to easily and safely activate it. It has been tested and proven to provide buoyancy for an adult up to 275 lbs/ 124 kg.
Kingii developers have launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance their project, which has gone through the roof. Their original goal was 65,000 USD, but in just two weeks they have already raised 473,088 USD. And the campaign still has almost 2 weeks to go!
We have our fingers crossed that marketing Kingii goes just as smoothly. It will be made in the USA and available for sale in September 2015. Anyone interested in the early bird pre-ordering bonus should strike while the iron is hot – the first 300 people who select this support package will get a Kingii for just 69 USD (+shipping).Kingii - the new standard in water safety