EXHIBIT 10.2.1

                                                       Merrill Lynch
                                                       33 West Monroe Street
                                                       Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                                       312/845-1020
                                                       FAX 312/845-9093

                                                       August 15, 1996

Mr. Jeffrey W. Church                                  Jeremy M. Dhein
Chief Financial Officer                                Credit Services Account
Survival Technology, Inc.                              Manager
2275 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20850


     RE:  Extension of WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT ("WCMA") No. 749-07E53
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Church,

It is our pleasure to inform you that we have approved an extension of the
above-numbered WCMA Line of Credit.
for Survival Technology, Inc.

     As extended, the new Maturity Date for your WCMA Line of Credit will be
     December 31, 1996, with all other  terms and conditions remaining
     unchanged.  In connection with this extension, a $6,250.00 fee will be
     charged to the WCMA Account.


With so many institutions offering financial services today, we realize that you
have a choice and we thank you for choosing Merrill Lynch.  You are a very
important client to us and we hope that the WCMA Line of Credit has provided
better control of your working capital and helped enhance your company's bottom
line.  In addition to the WCMA Line of Credit, Merrill Lynch offers a broad
range of products and services to our business clients including:

     Term Financing for equipment purchases and other fixed asset acquisitions
     and ESOP financing.

     Business Advisory Services including business valuations, advisory services
     in connection with ESOP's and the acquisition or sale of a business, and
     our exclusive "Business Financial Planner".

     Business Investment Services, including strategies for short-term and
     intermediate-term investments.

Once again, we are pleased to provide you with an extension of your WCMA Line of
Credit.  Should you have any questions, please contact Pack Fancher at (202)
659-6077.

Very truly yours,

Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.

By:/S/   Jeremy M. Dhein
   ---------------------------------
     Credit Services Account Manager


cc:  K. Pack Fanchor - MLPF&S - Washington, DC
     Paul Conroy - MLBFS - Washington, DC
     Cristina D'Erasmo - Survival Technology, Inc.