World’s first underarm constant-wear life vest
SWITLIK Survival Products, at the forefront in aviation survival equipment innovation, ispleased to announce the launch of its newest constant wear product, the UA-80 EvolutionVest. The UA-80 Evolution vest is the world’s first FAA approved commercially availableunderarm constant wear life vest; it represents the next evolution in life vest design utilizingSWITLIK’s signature underarm flotation technology incorporated into a tactical-style vest.
SWITLIK’s revolutionary Evolution vest is an innovative, reimagining of inflatable life vesttechnology. Leveraging a similar bladder design to that of the next generation US ArmyAircrew Combat Equipment (ACE) program, the design integrates a first-of-its-kind,underarm-style inflatable bladder with 80+ lbs. of buoyancy.
The Evolution vest is designed to solve the two biggest challenges previously posed in lifevest design – increasing comfort and mobility around the head and neck, and maximizingspace for professional aviators and crews to carry equipment.
The Evolution Vest forgoes the traditional yoke-style design, and instead moves the flotationaround the wearer’s abdomen – totally eliminating any helmet interference or range ofmotion issues posed by older-style constant wear vests.
When inflated, SWITLIK’s signature underarm-style bladder provides improved mobility,maneuverability, higher freeboard and superior water channelling when compared totraditional yoke-style bladders. It also provides auto-righting of unconscious aircrew to bringthem into a stable, face-up position for unimpeded breathing.
As the flotation resides inside the vest, valuable space is added to the front for accessories.The Evolution Vest has more than twice the amount of available MOLLE loops than anyprevious Switlik design.
SWITLIK’s innovative underarm flotation bladder is dual-chambered, and features a three-layer film construction that is more fire, abrasion, and puncture resistant that traditional lifevest fabrics. The bladder construction utilizes a novel manufacturing method to maintainlow bulk and weight.
Like all signature SWITLIK products, every inch of the Evolution vest was designed for a purpose. The vest is FAA Approved to TSO-c13G.