BUOYANT IMPACT-RESISTANT SUIT

1 . An apparatus comprising:

an impact-resistant suit having a base layer of material dimensioned to fit over a body of a wearer; and

at least one impact-resistant panel attached to the base layer, the impact-resistant panel being sized and positioned with respect to the base layer to protect a specific part of the body of the wearer from localized impacts.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant suit comprises a super buoyant wetsuit having an upper body portion that substantially resists crush-down at extreme pressures.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the upper body portion includes a predetermined buoyancy and thickness, and wherein the predetermined buoyancy and thickness are substantially maintained at very high pressures.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant suit comprises a super buoyant drysuit having an upper body portion that substantially resists crush-down at extreme pressures.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant suit comprises a non-super buoyant wetsuit that is suitable for divers.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant suit comprises a non-super buoyant drysuit that is suitable for use as a space suit.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a neck ring and vacuum-tight zippers such that the suit is airtight.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant panel is bonded to an outer surface of the base layer to protect both the base layer and the body of the wearer.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, the impact-resistant panel is positioned to protect the wearer's knee, elbow, thigh or chest.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant panel includes projections to provide stiffness.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the projections are filled or stuffed with polystyrene, closed/open cell PV foam, or a polycarbonate void such that the panel also acts as a buoyancy agent.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the impact-resistant panel comprises metal or plastic.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the impact-resistant panel comprises titanium, steel, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises neoprene or other porous open cell or closed cell flexible foam rubber.

15 . An apparatus comprising:

an impact-resistant suit having a base layer of material dimensioned to fit over a body of a wearer; and

at least one impact-resistant panel attached to the base layer, the impact-resistant panel being sized and positioned with respect to the base layer to protect a specific part of the body of the wearer from localized impacts;

wherein the impact-resistant suit comprises a super buoyant wetsuit having an upper body portion that substantially resists crush-down at extreme pressures;

wherein the impact-resistant panel is bonded to an outer surface of the base layer to protect both the base layer and the body of the wearer.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein, the impact-resistant panel is positioned to protect the wearer's knee, elbow, thigh or chest.

17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the impact-resistant panel includes projections to provide stiffness.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the projections are filled or stuffed with polystyrene, closed/open cell PV foam, or a polycarbonate void such that the panel also acts as a buoyancy agent.

19 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the impact-resistant panel comprises metal or plastic.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the impact-resistant panel comprises titanium, steel, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.

21 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the base layer comprises neoprene or other porous open cell or closed cell flexible foam rubber.