Restube: Compact Inflatable Water Safety Buoys

1. What is a Restube safety buoy, and how does it work?

A Restube is a compact, pocket-sized emergency inflatable safety buoy designed for open-water swimmers, triathletes, and water sports enthusiasts. Worn securely around the waist or attached to gear, it packs down to the size of a small deck of cards, weighing just 195 grams.

In a critical situation—such as a muscle cramp, fatigue, or getting caught in a rip current—you pull the trigger handle. A threaded CO2 cartridge detonates and inflates a bright yellow buoy in seconds. Leaning your chest or arms over the inflated buoy lifts your head out of the water, providing instant buoyancy so you can catch your breath, rest, or use the integrated whistle to signal for rescue.

2. Is a Restube considered a replacement for a traditional life jacket (PFD)?

No, a Restube is classified as an emergency buoyancy aid, not a replacement for a certified Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or life jacket where mandatory by law.

Traditional life jackets provide continuous, passive buoyancy and are ergonomically designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. Restube requires active manual deployment (pulling a trigger) and physical cooperation (holding onto or resting over the buoy). It is engineered specifically for competent swimmers who want backup safety without the bulk, heat, or movement restrictions of a foam life vest.

3. Can I reuse a Restube after pulling the trigger, and how do I repack it?

Yes, every Restube model is 100% reusable and can be reloaded and ready for the water in under two minutes. To repack your Restube after deployment:

• Deflate completely: Press the release valve inside the oral inflation mouthpiece to squeeze out all trapped air.
• Reload the cartridge: Unscrew the spent CO2 cartridge and screw in a fresh, original Restube replacement cartridge until tightly seated.
• Fold the chamber: Fold the yellow buoyancy tube accordion-style following the printed guideline arrows on the fabric.
• Pack and secure: Tuck the folded buoy back into its protective pouch, tuck in the trigger cord, and close the flap securely.

4. Which Restube model should I choose: Beach, Active, or Extreme?

The right Restube model depends entirely on your primary water activity, required buoyancy, and environmental conditions.

Note: The Extreme model features heavy-duty TPU-coated nylon and a split-pin closure system designed to prevent accidental deployment during high-impact crashes.

5. Can I bring a Restube and its CO2 cartridges on an airplane?

Yes, you can fly with a Restube and its pressurized CO2 cartridges under international aviation rules, provided you follow standard dangerous goods packing guidelines. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and aviation authorities like the FAA and LBA, passengers are permitted to carry up to two self-inflating personal safety devices, with up to two CO2 cartridges per device (a maximum of 4 cartridges total per person).

Best practices for hassle-free airport transit:

• Unscrew the CO2 cartridges from the trigger mechanism before packing.
• Store the cartridges and the uninflated Restube together in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
• Place the bundle in your checked luggage rather than carry-on, as baggage screening officers are generally more familiar with IATA maritime safety rules than checkpoint staff.
• Print out and include the official "Flying with Restube" IATA information sheet inside the bag.

6. Do I have to use original Restube CO2 cartridges, or will standard bicycle cartridges work?

You should only use original Restube CO2 cartridges. While standard bicycle tire inflation cartridges may share the same physical thread size, using them in maritime safety equipment poses severe reliability risks.

Original Restube cartridges are manufactured with three critical safety differences:

• Seawater Resistance: They feature a specialized marine-grade protective coating that prevents saltwater corrosion from welding the cartridge to the trigger mechanism over time.
• Precision Gas Weight: They are 100% quality-and-level tested to guarantee the exact gas volume (10.9g or 16g) required to fully pressurize the buoyancy chamber.
• Calibrated Cap Thickness: The steel puncture cap is engineered to match the exact mechanical force of the Restube spring trigger, preventing failed detonation in an emergency.

7. Does wearing a Restube cause drag or interfere with competitive open-water swimming?

No, Restube is hydrodynamically engineered to eliminate drag and remain practically imperceptible during intense freestyle swimming or triathlon training.

The pouch sits snugly horizontally or vertically in the small of your back, positioned directly inside the natural slipstream created by your body as you move through the water. Models like the Restube Active feature an internal positioning bar (splint) that locks the pouch to the waist belt. This prevents the buoy from sliding around your hips, rotating toward your chest, or bouncing during flip turns and stroke rotations.

8. Can I inflate a Restube manually without using a CO2 cartridge?

Yes, every Restube buoy is equipped with an integrated oral inflation valve located on the upper section of the yellow buoyancy chamber.

You can open the pouch and blow directly into the mouthpiece to inflate the buoy manually at any time without spending a CO2 cartridge. This dual-purpose functionality allows you to use the Restube as a standard, visually conspicuous tow-float during routine open-water training swims, or to manually add air pressure while resting in the water.