An apparatus ,comprising
a swim assist vest and a handle subassembly including a rescue handle and a flange monolithically formed with the rescue handle, the handle subassembly including a first material and the swim assist vest including an outer layer including a second material different than the first material, the handle subassembly coupled to the outer layer of the swim assist vest, the rescue handle having a length and a width along a first plan greater than a depth perpendicular to the first plane ,the flange having a length and a width along a second plane greater than a depth perpendicular to the second plane,the first plane being substantially perpendicular to the second plane, at least a portion of the flange being disposed within an opening defined in a portion of the swim assist vest such that the rescue handle is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the swim assist vest