Abstract: A breathing apparatus for survival gear is provided by a head receiving hood that is sealed over the head of the user and has sufficient volume to provide breathing air for at least a selected period of time while submerged and is made of a material that prevents the ingress of liquid water while being permeable to the flow of gasses therethrough whereby the supply of oxygen in the hood may be replenished and the carbon dioxide concentration reduced. A suitable waterproof transparent window is formed in the hood in the position which permits the wearer to see out of the hood and a gas passage spacer pad prevents the hood from collapsing into the breathing apertures of the user and provides passages communicating with the inside of the hood remote from the breathing passage.