About Us

Our Mission

The worldwide leader in engineered inflatables.

Subsalve is the worldwide leader and innovator in the design and manufacture of engineered inflatables. Our underwater lift bags are specified to meet the toughest challenges in recreational, commercial, scientific, and military applications. Since 1977, we have provided solutions and expertise for aircraft recovery, ship, yacht, and boat salvage, marine construction, offshore oilfield diving, and explosive ordnance disposal.

Close up of the Mark V/Orca lifting a potentially explosive ordinance.

Collection of lift and flotation bags used in the Costa Norte project

Subsalve lab and one of its finest engineers.

Divers performing undersea tasks using a variety of Subsalve products.

Image from the Cameron Case Study that shows two divers using flotation bags in a heavy salvage operation

Diver in the process of deploying a safety quad bag

Salvage pontoons in use to resurrect a damaged submarine

1977

Subsalve USA Founded

1977

1985

Beginning of Mark V

Subsalve receives a contract from the USN to deliver Mark II Mod I Explosive Ordnance Disposal Systems (This evolves into the Subsalve Mark V)

1985

Aerial view of Professional Lift Bags being used to surface and suspend the Spiegel Grove, a 510 ft Navy troop transport ship

2001

Largest Project to Date

More than 600 tons of Subsalve liftbags used to move and install the 510 ft Speigel Grove as the worlds largest artificial reef.

2001

2012

James Cameron

James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenger sets the world record diving to 35736 ft. in the Mariana Trench supported by Subsalve liftbags for launch and recover as well as a Subsalve Emergency buoyancy system

2012

2017

Company Evolution

Subsalve USA becomes part of Performance Inflatables Co LLC.

2017

2018

New Technology

Buoyancy Control Technology launched by Subsalve.

2018

2020

Hall of Fame Induction

Richard Fryburg, Subsalve USA Founder Inducted to ACDI Hall of Fame.

2020

Why Subsalve?

Experience

Not only do we focus exclusively on the design and manufacture of engineered inflatables; our credentials include formal dive experience, and more than 4 decades of hands on experience in the field. We know the challenges you face and can help you meet them.

Quality

Our products, including all components, are proudly made in the USA by skilled artisans. Every SUBSALVE product is tested prior to shipping to ensure reliable performance. You can work with our solutions with confidence.

Service

We maintain an inventory of all standard products to ensure prompt delivery. We offer custom design services to address special needs. We are ready to respond whenever you need us.

Value

We purchase materials in large volumes from vendors near our factory, allowing us to pass savings along to our customers. We also offer volume and prepayment discounts, and always beat competitors in quality and value.

Compliance & Warranty

All Subsalve products are compliant with IMCA (International Marine Construction Association) D-016-AIRBAGS, ABS, and U.S. Department of Defense Standards. All carry a one-year warranty.

The Polyurethane Difference

Subsalve is the only major lift bag brand that offers polyurethane-coated fabrics in all of our products. We use high-strength synthetic base fabrics including nylon, polyester and Kevlar coated with urethane and urethane blends. The result? Our lift bags are more puncture-, abrasion-, and chemical-resistant than other conventional inflatables. This allows for a longer service life with less maintenance required.

Give Us Your Toughest Challenge

Subsalve has a legacy of meeting tough customer challenges with innovative solutions, including custom products for specialized applications. Multiple patents attest to our expert engineering and proven products.

Trusted By

We are proud to include the US Department of Defense, all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, NASA, and the FBI on our list of satisfied and ongoing customers, as well as leading companies in the private sector and the governments of more than 30 foreign countries.

Innovators in bouyancy and engineered inflatables

Get in touch

Let us help you find the optimal solution to your application challenge. Contact us using any of the methods below, and our expert team will work with you to find and deliver the Engineered Inflatables and accessories that are applicable to your specific need.

See All Products

Applications

See All Case Studies