Brochure for Vaco Rubber Lifesaving Suit

THE VACO LIFE SUIT
Gives the Utmost in Protection in Every Emergency

WHEN a torpedo or mine hits, a few seconds can spell life or death. The seaman's very life depends on his life suit then ... and from then on.

Nothing inferior to a life suit which gives utmost protection can ever be "good enough." American seamen ... as much as American soldiers and sailors ... deserve the best equipment we can give them.

Here are six vital protections to look for in a life suit. Vaco has all of them. Without any one, Vaco would not give the utmost in protection:

man wearing Vaco life suit 1. Vaco has met all the severest tests in all kinds of emergencies for three years under actual battle conditions.

2. Vaco is fool-proof with nothing to rust, foul or freeze when every second of time counts.

3. The Vaco suit can be moved around with ease ... always ready to step into at a moment's notice.

4. Vaco leaves hands free to put it on quickly, take it off without any assistance, or to grasp objects firmly in case of shipwreck.

5. Vaco can be worn comfortably at work and while sleeping if necessary.

6. Vaco gives full protection against cold, wind and water, and provides perfect buoyancy.

From the beginning of this war, the Vaco suit has been in constant use and has been perfected in the laboratory of practical experience.

There can be no substitute for practical safety when life itself is in the balance.

Officially Approved by the Bureau of Marine Inspection & Navigation, United States Coast Guard.

One of the features of the Vaco suit is the weighted boots. These keep the wearers body vertical in the water unless definite effort is made to float horizontally. Even if the wearer becomes unconscious for any reason, the vertical position of the body, with the water-line at about chest level, keeps the wearer's head out of water at all times.


Rapidity of Donning With the light-weight body of the VACO Life Suit folded around the upright, attached semi-stiff boots, the disaster-stricken seaman jumps into the ever-ready garment, pulling it over his shoulders and head, and tightens the neck cord while on the run. -- a matter of seconds.
	Simple Neck-Closure In addition to the watertight wrist-holes, the only opening in the sealed VACO Life Suit is the circular one about the neck, closed merely by pulling tight a simple drawstring through eyelets. There is nothing to become stuck or unworkable in an emergency.
Freedom of Hands With sleeves terminating at watertight, elastic wrists, hands are left free for all work aboard, for grasping objects during shipwreck and for circulation - inducing exercise while immersed in water.
	Close-Fitting Hood The soft, sponge rubber encircling the edge of the hood provides a watertight but comfortable cushion sealing the VACO Life Suit about the face. The bright yellow hood makes an eye arresting spot of high visibility when seen in the water even from a distance.
Separate Life Vest The life vest is not fastened to the suit and, therefore, may be worn without the suit when work conditions require it, thus ensuring that the wearer will not be drowned if cast off before he has opportunity to get into suit.



The pliable and durable rubberized twill making up the main body of the VACO Life Suit is of a sufficiently light weight to permit continual wear. The whole garment, including weighted boots, weighs but 13.5 pounds. Free hands, made possible by tight wrist closures, make normal work practical and permit freedom of action in emergencies. The belt and the separate life vest make it possible to roll the upper part of the suit around the waist when working conditions make it desirable. It is only a matter of seconds to fully don the garment when worn in this manner.

Extracts from a Few of Many Statements
by Men Who Owe Their Lives to
VACO Life Suits

MASTER OF TANKER TORPEDOED OCTOBER, 1941
Two torpedoes exploded, killing ten men, remainder taking to boats or jumping overboard wearing the suits. All of these were saved ... On deck, in the water and in the boats the suit proved useful and valuable. We could row and perform other tasks while being completely protected against cold, wind and water. Those who jumped overboard confirmed to me that the suit protected the wearer against the heavy fall and permitted swimming while keeping them warm and dry .... Returning from Iceland, I slept in mine every night, and slept very well.

MASTER OF TANKER TORPEDOED JANUARY, 1942
VACO Life Suits proved to be excellent for keeping warm during 38 hours in life boats ... My whole crew had nothing but the highest praise far the suit. It gives a feeling of safety which has the greatest effect in these times.

CHIEF ENGINEER OF VESSEL TORPEDOED JANUARY 1942
After spending a day and a half in an open boat in the North Atlantic, I have, thanks to the VACO Life Suit, arrived ashore without harmful after-effect.

FIRST MATE, SECOND MATE AND CREW TORPEDOED JANUARY, 1942
We had the opportunity of trying out the VACO Life Suits in the torpedoing of the ___________ and found them completely satisfactory.

CARPENTER OF VESSEL TORPEDOED OCTOBER, 1941
After the first torpedo, I found myself, with the suit on, caught by the guy-wire to a davit and carried deep down by the vessel. Finally, I shot up again with tremendous power as the suit was filled with air which gave me additional buoyancy. I am sure that this saved my life because I could not have managed to stay submerged so deeply any longer.

SECOND MATE OF TANKER TORPEDOED JANUARY, 1942
I can state that in my capacity of second mate, I followed closely the condition of the different members of the crew in our lifeboat, and there was no doubt that the five who had the Vaco suits on were without comparison better protected against spray, wind and cold and were in considerably better shape than the others when we were picked up nine hours later.

I made myself the promise that from now on I will have the suit either on or at hand at all times on board.

SURGEON-LIEUTENANT OF VESSEL TORPEDOED JANUARY, 1942
Twenty-one men were able to survive during ten days in lifeboats principally because they were equipped with the VACO Life Suit.

VACO, INC.
15 MOORE STREET * NEW YORK. N. Y.
Telephone WHitehall 4-8474-8475

U.S. Patents Applied For

Printed in U.S.A.