A device is disclosed for the inflation of a container or a floating body of an item of lifesaving equipment with compressed gas. The gas content of a compressed gas container sealed with the aid of a diaphragm, is released by opening the diaphragm with an opening striker disposed in a housing. A lever drive comprising a swiveling lever possessing an intermediate member upon which a hand lever also acts, engages the opening striker to place the device reliably into operation. The swiveling lever is two-armed and swivelable about an axis of rotation that is integral with the housing. A first arm of the swiveling lever is supported upon a spring with its free end, and a second arm of the swiveling lever is supported on a housing stop. The second arm is supportable with its free end upon an automatic element. The intermediate member is two-armed and swivelable about an axis of rotation that is integral with the housing. A first arm of the intermediate member can be made to rest against a housing edge and, with the free end of the first arm of the intermediate member, the opening striker is acted upon.