The Ring of Life: A Revolutionary Life Buoy

Revolutionizing Safety at Sea

When shipwrecks occur, the cold seawater becomes the number one cause of death. To combat this, The School of Industrial Design in LAFA has created a groundbreaking solution - The Ring of Life. This innovative life buoy not only saves lives but also addresses the challenges faced by traditional life buoys.

Traditional life buoys fail to adequately protect individuals from the dangers of the sea. The Ring of Life, however, is designed to isolate seawater effectively, conserve energy, and maintain body temperature, ensuring the safety of drowning victims to the highest degree possible. Equipped with GPS positioning and a light-emitting device, it can be quickly and accurately located by rescuers.

The buoy is manufactured using injection molding technology, with the inflatable and wearable parts made using hot melt rubber forming technology. With an outer diameter of 700mm, inner diameter of 400mm, and a thickness of 105mm, it is both durable and efficient.

The Ring of Life is not just a life buoy; it is a comprehensive safety system. Its unique design features and capabilities make it an essential tool for maritime emergencies. By following the simple instructions displayed on the buoy - Open, Fold, Wear, Tight - users can quickly and easily put it on, ensuring their safety in the water.

The project was carried out in the Laboratory of Industrial Design at LuXun Academy of Fine Arts in China, from October 2015 to October 2016. The design team, consisting of Xue Wenkai, Sun Jian, Qi Hongrui, Wang Hongchen, Li Tingyu, and Zhang Yahan, conducted extensive research to create a product that offers better protection for victims at sea.

The Ring of Life has overcome numerous challenges, particularly in selecting materials that provide the necessary tension and toughness. After rigorous testing, the team found the perfect material that achieves the desired effect.

With its two-layer thermal insulation materials, The Ring of Life effectively isolates seawater, preventing hypothermia and protecting against harmful pollutants. Its design also minimizes the risk of shark attacks. The integration of GPS and a luminous device ensures that victims can be located quickly and accurately, enabling prompt rescue operations.

This groundbreaking design was recognized with an Iron A' Design Award in the Safety Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment category in 2016. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Ring of Life's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better and safer world.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Zhang Yahan
Image Credits: Zhang Yahan
Project Team Members: Designer:Xue Wenkai Designer:Sun Jian Designer:Qi Hongrui Designer:Wang Hongchen Designer:Li Tingyu Designer:Zhang Yahan
Project Name: A-circle
Project Client: Zhang Yahan


A-circle IMG #2
A-circle IMG #3
A-circle IMG #4
A-circle IMG #5
A-circle IMG #5

Read More on Design Radiant