What's a Gumby Suit?

The Mariner oil platform explosion off the Louisiana coast created a mile-long oil sheen into the Gulf of Mexico and forced 13 crew members to jump into the water wearing protective Gumby suits. Just what exactly is a Gumby suit?

Also known as an immersion or survival suit, a Gumby suit is made out of neoprene, a flexible, fire-retardant, synthetic rubber material which is also used to make wetsuits and laptop sleeves. Waterproof and insolated to protect the wearer from hypothermia during cold water immersion, the suits are meant to be worn by crew members when abandoning a ship.

The cumbersome suits are usually one-size-fits-all and outfitted with built-in boots that resemble adult footies, a hood and large gloves. Because neoprene material consists of closed-cell foam that contains tiny air bubbles, the suit can also act as a personal flotation device.

As you may have already guessed, the suits are named after the green, angular 1960s clay animation character "Gumby." However, unlike Gumby, the survival suits usually come in bright orange , red or yellow colors, making them easier for search crews to spot in the water. Additionally, the suit's arms, legs and head have strips of reflective tape sewn on, making the wearer more visible at night.

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