Swimmers could be saved from drowning by a new airbag-style device that inflates suddenly around the neck when it senses the person wearing it is in trouble.

Ploota is worn like a necklace and detects emergency* situations, much like the latest cars do in head-on collisions.

It realizes when its wearer has been submerged underwater for 30 seconds, and fills its integrated floats with a fitted carbon dioxide cartridge, bringing the potential casualty* back to the surface.

The revolutionary gadget could even be seen as a replacement for bulky armbands, which children learning to swim must wear in classes.

And it could also be worn by those at risk of passing out and slipping underwater in the bath.

Founder Rainer Fakesch came up with the idea after a swimming accident during a family beach holiday.

He began working on a prototype* in 2015 in Germany, hoping to make the world’s first sensor-controlled underwater airbag to intervene in an emergency.

The Ploota is available to pre-order from its website for US$110 following a successful crowdfunding* campaign.

It is particularly aimed at children, so parents can allow themselves to relax a little while watching their loved ones swim.

Ploota is also available in adults’ sizes, and additional carbon dioxide cartridges can be bought.

(SD-Agencies)