New Bracelet Designed To Help Save People From Drowning

By Chelsea Lacey-Mabe

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A day spent at the beach or pool sounds relaxing but can be a stressful outing for parents keeping tabs on their children swimming in the water.

Besides colorful life jackets and pool floaties, moms and dads may be seeing a new device, worn on the wrist to help prevent drownings.

The Kingii is a waterproof bracelet but when the user pulls a lever, they release an internal CO2 cartridge turning the bracelet into a small inflatable.

The device isn't intended as a substitute for a Personal Flotation Device for non-swimmers like a life jacket but the makers say it can help people who become exhausted while swimming, have an onset of cramps or when there are heavy currents in open waters.

Tom Agapiades, who invented the product, came up with the idea after his close friend drowned in a lake. He realized even the most experienced swimmers can experience a water emergency.

The Kingii can stay inflated for 48 hours and includes a whistle people can use to signal for help. It's now available for purchase on their website for $90 in addition to the cost of CO2 cartridges.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ten people drown every day on average and one in five of those people are 14 years old or younger.