Medical therapy often involves more than the determination of illness and the administration of therapeutic drugs. Injury or illness may result in impairment of loss of physical function such as balance or movement. In marine mammal species loss of normal floatation capability can result in serious consequences such as environmental maladjustment, fatigue, and treatment complication. For many marine mammals the final cause of death may be related to drowning though water in the airways may not be a pathologic finding.

Individual animals incapable or unwilling to achieve or maintain neutral buoyancy can be aided with floatation devices. Floatation aids achieve two main functions including maintenance of the individual at or near the surface for respiration and reestablishment of symmetrical buoyancy to aid in breathing. In addition floatation material can be used as an aid in wound care acting as an outer retaining bandage or as a method of insulation where ambient water temperature may compromise a thin animal. Floatation devices have advantages over other techniques previously utilized including maintenance by aquarium personnel in the water, and sling and stretcher retention. The former often results in costly manpower involvement and the latter in rapid production of pressure necrosis and decreased acceptance of physical therapy restrictions. These systems may be utilized in combination or series depending or the activity level of the patient and the requirements for therapeutic principles such as medication administration.

Buoyancy aids for cetaceans have evolved from the use of life jackets and foam to wet suit material individually tailored for different species and individuals. Present design involves wet suit material which encompasses the area between the pectoral flippers, surrounding the dorsal fin and extending down the abdomen. Lateral longitudinal pockets are attached by velcro which allow the addition of closed cell foam to augment buoyancy and provide an outrigger effect to avoid listing. This design has been utilized to aid in reestablishment of asymmetrical buoyancy as a result of unilateral pneumothorax, pyothorax and as a supplement to wound care. Buoyancy jackets have been tried in different configurations with the most successful described above being used on three different cetaceans and four different manatees.