Abstract: An oxygen delivery unit (20) having a housing (22), a release plate (24), an oxygen generator (26), a respirator assembly (28), a release lanyard assembly (30), and an activation lanyard assembly (32) allows the use of generators (26) having longer operational times. The release plate (24) is flexible and has curled and uncurled positions, and the generator (26) is attached to the release plate (24) which is biased toward its uncurled position. The release lanyard assembly (30) engages the generator (26) to hold it in a stored position inside the housing (22). The release lanyard assembly (30) and the activation lanyard assembly (32) extend between the generator (26) and the respirator assembly (28), so that when an individual pulls the respirator assembly (28), the generator (26) is ignited and shifted to an activated position spaced apart from the housing wall (38). Bumper pads (52) engage the release plate (24) to dampen vibrations and inhibit noise when the generator (26) is in the activated position.