No matter how good of a swimmer you are, there are always things that can go wrong in the water. From riptides and waves to cramps and fatigue, there are situations where your swimming might not be able to save your life. That’s where Ploota comes in.
Designed to be worn around the neck while you swim, surf, and engage in other water activities, the device can detect when there’s imminent danger of drowning, which it defines as having your head submerged for over 30 seconds. Yes that means, this is utterly useless if you’re diving and, possibly, snorkeling, but for everyone else who wants to stay safe in the water, this thing could mean the difference between life and death.
Once the sensor is triggered, Ploota will immediately deploy two inflatable cushions on each side of the neck, which will buoy you up to safety and keep your head afloat. It can also be triggered manually using a physical trigger on the left-hand side, giving yourself an emergency panic button when you realize the situation’s starting to get out of your control. When worn, the device, basically, makes you look like you’re wearing a collar, which might not be the coolest thing, but is definitely a fair trade-off for ensuring your safety.
Features include a lightweight build (so it won’t be intrusive), a battery check button (so you’ll know it will actually deploy), and three sizes to accommodate everyone from kids to adults. Do note, you’ll have to replace the CO2 cartridge every time the inflatables are deployed, so you might want to bring a small stash during holidays.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the Ploota. You can reserve a unit for pledges starting at €65.