abstract:An immersion suit, or survival suit (or more specifically an immersion survival suit), is a special type of waterproof dry suit that protects the wearer from hypothermia from immersion in cold water, after abandoning a sinking or capsized vessel, especially in the open ocean. They usually have built-on feet (boots), and a hood, and either built-on gloves or watertight wrist seals.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Australian authorities were able to drop food, water and a survivalsuit to the 63-year-old, but his location was too remote for a helicopter rescue.