An excessively rare Kriegsmarine issue Drager Tauchretter, an emergency buoyancy and breathing apparatus that allowed a U-boat sailor to survive and escape from his stricken vessel at depths usually between 30 and 100 meters. The vest has a rubber mouthpiece and hose which drew air partly from a high-pressure cylinder with simultaneous absorption of carbon dioxide by an inserted cartridge filled with sodium hydroxide. The user would pull the vest over his head and secure it with a single strap with a separate buckle beneath his crotch. The vest is also fitted with the oxygen bottle intake valve at the bottom (bottle not present) and an exhaust valve at the front. The vest bears a black stenciled identification: 'Tauschretter' on the front, with a flap on the reverse stamped with a black waffenamt and the letters 'PVZ'. Typically escape would be made via the submarine's torpedo tubes. Also included are the rarely seen black rubber and glass escape goggles with strap, a second pair of goggles with red lenses and a green canvas case, and the rubber nose clip which is attached to the mouthpiece with a leather strap. The vest is in outstanding condition, with no tears, holes or substantial stains, all fittings in excellent condition, and essentially complete but for the case and oxygen bottle - rarely seen in such fine condition. Obtained directly from the foremost expert on these devices, 'Joe Tauschretter', found at joe-tauchretter.tripod.com/id1.html. An essential part of any U-boat collection!