Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for improving the Weight/Duration ratio of Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) by decreasing the amount of fresh breathing gas required from the system by saving exhaled air that is low in carbon dioxide in a reservoir and reusing it at the subsequent inhalation. Electronic control units (“ECUs”) including conventional oxygen sensors and special types of carbon dioxide sensors are used to monitor and predictably regulate the consumption of breathing gas, further contributing to a significantly lower overall system weight for any given duration of the SCBA.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for improving the Weight/Duration ratio of Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) by decreasing the amount of fresh breathing gas required from the system by saving exhaled air that is low in carbon dioxide in a reservoir and reusing it at the subsequent inhalation. Electronic control units (“ECUs”) including conventional oxygen sensors and special types of carbon dioxide sensors are used to monitor and predictably regulate the consumption of breathing gas, further contributing to a significantly lower overall system weight for any given duration of the SCBA.

Abstract: A cooling garment comprises a phase change material and at least one of: a shirt portion and a pants portion. The shirt portion has left and right arm portions attached to a torso portion, with the phase change material being disposed in the left and right arm portions. The pants portion has left and right leg portions, with the phase change material being disposed in the left and right leg portions. The arm and leg portions may be removable to facilitate reactivation and/or replacement of the phase change material, and the cooling garment may include a sensor configured to indicate a cooling capacity of the phase change material. A portable container having a reactivation substance stored therein may be provided to reactivate the phase change material. In one embodiment, the portable container is part of a self-contained breathing apparatus. In another embodiment, the phase change material is submerged in the reactivation substance in the container.

Abstract: Breathing equipment for use in toxic atmospheres or beneath water including a breathing mask, a pressure regulator adjacent the source of breathing gas, and a source of breathing gas. A conduit transports breathing gas from the source of breathing gas to the mask. The conduit includes an inner conduit that functions to transport breathing gas to the breathing mask from the pressure regulator, and an outer conduit that surrounds the inner conduit and that protects the inner conduit and defines therewith a passageway that is sealed against the surroundings. The inner conduit is connected to the breathing mask so as to deliver thereto breathing gas that leaks from the inner conduit and does not normally transport breathing gas therethrough. A pressure regulating valve connects the inner conduit to the breathing mask and delivers breathing gas to the breathing mask at an overpressure.