Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1893 — A New Life Belt. [ARTICLE]

A New Life Belt.

A self-expanding life belt is the latest addition to the list of lifesaving apparatus. This contrivance is made of elastic material, and its interior is divided into separate sections, containing alternately acids and alkalies. After being applied there is a cord at each side of the person, which, being pulled, allows the chemicals to come together, producing a gas which gives buoyancy to the belt. A modification of this invention consists of a belt with two metallic hemispheres held together with material soluble in water, the intention being to throw this belt overboard to the rescue of a person drowning. As soon as it strikes the water the hemispheres spring apart, and the gas being rapidly generated, the belt is expanded. Another form of belt of the latter variety can be so arranged as to be fired by a rocket to ships in distress, inflating shortly after striking the water.