Mark Chestnut with A.I.R. device

Industry News

Surfer comes close to drowning, invents, patents small, portable emergency breathing device

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 August, 2008 : - - Mark Chestnut grew up with the Atlantic Ocean as his backyard. Being a 4th generation native and having a part of town named after his Great grandfather, in Myrtle Beach, SC, Chestnut has an inherent passion for the ocean and for surf.  He has been an avid surfer for more than 25 years. 

He has ridden waves in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in North America, The Caribbean, Central America and the legendary Hawaiian North Shore.  There he experienced surfing in waves up to 20 feet.

In 1986, despite his advanced level of expertise and excellent physical condition, he found himself caught in an undertow and seconds from death.
Chestnut, who was the captain of the G&S Amateur Surf Team, along with some of his team members went on a surfing trip to Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. After riding a wave and while paddling back to the line-up, Mark saw the swelled wave approach.

He pushed the nose of his surfboard downward in order to thrust himself under the approaching wave.  “There was nothing unusual happening at this point. I just thought I was preparing to turtle under the oncoming wave.  I remember sitting on my board while still underwater”, Chestnut recants.  “I began to feel the glimpse of danger.  I remember telling myself over and over to stay calm.”

He continues, “I reasoned that my surfboard and my wet suit float, and would pop me up above water. While I continued to hold my breath and sit on my surfboard underwater I realized that I was not rising and was running out of air in my lungs.”  Chestnut sighs, “I have done this a million times before. I was supposed to pop up by now. Just stay calm.”  

The current finally released and Chestnut was able to surface.  He was in shock and in complete disbelief that he was literally seconds from death.  Would have, could have, should have, kept going through his mind as his weaken body breathed the precious air that he thought he had lost forever.  
This was his moment of epiphany. 

He had been surfing for more than half his life and had many surfer friends that had shared like experiences with him. He realized that in many situations one simple breath of air could make the difference between life and death.  He began working on a solution.

After many trials and errors Chestnut now holds a U.S. Patent for a small, portable Emergency Breathing Device known as A.I.R. (Always In Reach). A.I.R. only weighs a couple of ounces and it is designed to be worn on the upper arm. The product has a shelf life of 2 years and is designed not to interfere with your surfing in any way.

The product can also be used by firefighters, miners, kayakers, snorkelers and by the general public as a safety precaution. A.I.R is affordably priced at under $40.00 U.S.D. and will be available in late Fall 2008. Chestnut summed it up best by saying, “The next time you have a bad wipe out, what would a couple of breaths of air be worth to you?”  

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Mark Chestnut

Industry - Surfersvillage