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Approximately 2000 operators in the SEAL Teams use a personal flotation device (PFD). While it is a necessary safety measure, the current PFDs in use often deploy prematurely causing the operator to then discard the device. We created a system with changeable modes, allowing the user to retain a fully functional vest with an activation system that is not subject to premature deployment. Implementation of this will reduce the danger for each operator and save lives. Our system is composed of a sensor suite, microcontroller, and actuator. The system has two user chosen modes: automatic and manual. We performed system tests to ensure the system is reliable and validated for use in special operations. Two of these tests included a software functionality test (A) and a valve response test (B). Results for (A)were LED ON for deployment conditions and LED OFF for nondeployment conditions. Results for (B) were a positive result (actuator activated and filled bladder correctly) for each test. The final result was an automatic PFD system that is viable for use in special operations. This will increase the number of lives saved by ensuring that operators can retain their PFDs without premature deployment as well as ensuring that an unconscious victim in the water will be lifted to safety by their automatic PFD. I. INTRODUCTIONDue to the nature of operations in the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), there is a need for personal flotation devices (PFD) in case someone falls overboard, conscious or unconscious. The current design used by the Special Operations consists of a water-soluble pill that blocks a spring from puncturing a CO 2 cartridge and filling the PFD bladder. When the pill is exposed to water, it dissolves, allowing the spring to puncture the cartridge. This system is sufficient for the relatively slow, dry conditions of working on a large vessel such as an aircraft carrier. However, when performing smaller, fastpaced operations, the conditions are favorable for sea spray exposing the pill to water and prematurely setting the life jackets off. Once the PFDs have deployed, they are often removed by the operator because they have been rendered ineffective. This increases the risk taken by the operator because now he/she is on a dangerous mission or training scenario without a PFD. SOCOM asked our research group to design a pressure-activated PFD for use in these operations that requires detection of a certain water pressure and elapsed time at this pressure to deploy. SOCOM also requested that this device have both an automatic and manual deployment mode. Development of this device will increase the safety of the operators whether they are in a conscious or unconscious state, thus saving lives.

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