Our Legacy: Over a Century of Saving Lives
For more than 100 years, Switlik has been building gear designed to protect people in the most demanding environments. From parachutes in the early days of aviation to today’s advanced customizable dry suits, life rafts, and survival vests, our mission has always been simple but critical: create equipment that never fails when lives depend on it.
In a recent episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, president, Sarah Switlik, and director of commercial sales, Paul Arnold shared how that mission has guided our growth as a fourth-generation family business. The conversation highlighted the philosophy, details, and customer stories that have defined us since 1920 — and continue to shape our products today.
Listen to the full episode here
From Parachutes to Lifesaving Gear
Switlik’s roots go back to 1920, when Stanley Switlik founded a small canvas and leather company in Trenton, New Jersey. Within a decade, we pivoted into aviation, manufacturing parachutes that became essential to pilots and military personnel. Our parachute training towers, including the one built in Lakehurst, NJ, became iconic landmarks for pilot training and safety.
That focus on precision, reliability, and safety carried us into the next century. Today, while our products have evolved to serve aviation, maritime, and rescue communities, the principle remains the same: design with safety first, test relentlessly, and never compromise on quality.
Explore our journey → Our Story
A Problem-First Approach to Design
As Sarah and Paul explained in the podcast, we don’t start product development by asking, “What features do you want?” Instead, we begin with: “What problem are you trying to solve?”
This approach ensures every product is mission-ready, tailored to the challenges faced by professionals in aviation, defense, and maritime environments. It’s the foundation of our customizable dry suits and our broader product line, which includes survival vests and rafts.
Our Signature Features are a direct result of this philosophy:
- U-Zip-It™ Entry System — a U-shaped zipper design for easier donning, better mobility, and unassisted closure.
- X-Back Adjustable Harness — distributes weight evenly, contours to the body, and lowers the profile for improved comfort and performance.
- Underarm Flotation System (UFS™) — enhances mobility while ensuring automatic face-up flotation in emergencies.
Each feature solves a specific, real-world problem that can make the difference between comfort and fatigue, or survival and risk.
Learn more → Signature Features
Real Stories That Define Our Mission
Throughout the podcast, Sarah and Paul shared how customer stories remind us why our mission matters. From aviators to rescue swimmers, our gear has protected people in moments when failure wasn’t an option.
A few examples from our history and customers:
- The Caterpillar Club: Honoring those saved by parachutes, including U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who used a Switlik parachute in WWII.
- Survival at Sea: Families like the Butlers, who survived 66 days adrift in the Pacific, relied on Switlik rafts to stay alive.
- Rescue and Military Teams: Today, our dry suits, life rafts, and vests continue to protect professionals across the U.S. Coast Guard, aviation industry, and global maritime operators.
These stories underscore that Switlik gear is never just equipment — it’s a lifeline.
Attention to Detail: Why It Matters
As Paul emphasized in the episode, small details in design and testing add up to big outcomes in survival. Every seam, zipper, flotation system, and material is chosen for a reason — and then tested thoroughly before shipping.
At our Trenton factory, products are carefully inspected, often inside-out and under pressure, to ensure seam and seal integrity. Nothing leaves our facility unless it meets the highest possible standards.
That commitment is why Switlik gear is trusted not only by individuals but by entire organizations and government agencies worldwide.
Today’s Customizable Gear
Our evolution has led us to produce a full range of survival solutions. Today, Switlik offers:
- Customizable Dry Suits with modular design and signature features tailored to mission needs.
- Life Rafts engineered for rapid deployment in both aviation and maritime emergencies.
- Survival Vests combining flotation, comfort, and integrated safety gear for professionals.
Each is built in the U.S., tested for mission-critical reliability, and backed by over a century of design expertise.
Explore our full product line → Products
Conclusion: Carrying the Legacy Forward
The Real ResQ Podcast episode was a chance to reflect on our journey — from a small parachute business in the 1920s to a global leader in lifesaving equipment. But more importantly, it reaffirmed the values that have carried us for more than 105 years:
- Solve real problems.
- Pay attention to every detail.
- Build products that can’t afford to fail.
We’re proud to continue designing and manufacturing lifesaving gear in the U.S. — and we invite you to listen to the full podcast to hear our story in Sarah’s and Paul’s own words.
