Breathing apparatuses are essential in hazardous environments, ensuring respiratory protection for workers in industries, such as firefighting, chemical handling, and emergency response. This study examines the critical parameters influencing the design, performance, and safety of breathing apparatus systems. Key parameters include oxygen delivery efficiency, filtration capacity, ergonomic design, and durability under extreme conditions. Oxygen supply mechanisms, including open-circuit and closed-circuit systems, are evaluated for their suitability in various operational contexts. Filtration technologies, particularly in self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), are analyzed for their effectiveness in removing toxic particulates and gases. Ergonomics and weight distribution are also highlighted, emphasizing their impact on user fatigue and mobility. Furthermore, the durability of materials under high temperatures, mechanical stress, and prolonged use is considered. Innovations in sensor integration and real-time monitoring are explored, enhancing safety through early detection of equipment failure or environmental hazards. Finally, this review underscores the need for compliance with international safety standards and rigorous training to optimize the efficacy of breathing apparatuses in life-critical scenarios

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1. Colburn D, Russo L, Burkard R, Hostler D. Firefighter protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus does not alter balance testing using a standard sensory organization test or motor control test in healthy, rested individuals. Appl Ergon. 2019;80:187–1 doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2019.05.010.
2. Hostler D, Pendergast DR. Respiratory responses during exercise in self-contained breathing apparatus among firefighters and nonfirefighters. Saf Health Work. 2018;9(4):468–4 doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2018.02.002.
3. Donnelly MK, Yang JC. Experimental and modeling study of thermal exposure of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Burns. 2015;41(5):1017–10 doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.11.008.
4. Fernandes L, Martins RF, Silva PP. Design of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) using a carbon fibre reinforced polymer and filament winding. Cienc Tecnol Mater. 2017;29(1):e108–1 doi:10.1016/j.ctmat.2017.05.001.
5. Ledford DK. Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus diving and asthma: Where are we in 2023? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023;130(4):463–46 doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.01.023.
6. Bahadori A. Personnel protection and safety equipment for the oil and gas industries. Gulf Prof Publ. 2015. doi:1016/B978-0-12-802814-8.00001-8.
7. Hsiao YD, Chang CT. Efficient multi-objective optimization and operational analysis of amine scrubbing CO2 capture process with artificial neural network. Int J Greenh Gas Control. 2024;138:104242. doi:1016/j.ijggc.2024.104242.
8. Palm A, Kumm M, Storm A, Lönnermark A. Breathing air consumption during different firefighting methods in underground mining environment. Fire Saf J. 2022;133:103661. doi:1016/j.firesaf.2022.103661.
9. Hooper AJ, Crawford JO, Thomas D. An evaluation of physiological demands and comfort between the use of conventional and lightweight self-contained breathing apparatus. Appl Ergon. 2001;32(4):399– doi:10.1016/S0003-6870(01)00007-2.
10. Mutzbauer TS, Neubauer B, Mueller PH, Tetzlaff K. Modification of the closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus LAR V makes it suitable for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Resuscitation. 1998;39(1–2):75– doi:10.1016/S0300-9572(98)00104-X.
11. Obuskovic G, Sirkar KK. Liquid membrane-based CO2 reduction in a breathing apparatus. J Membr Sci. 2012;389:424–4 doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2011.11.008.
12. Musgrave GE, Larsen A, Sgobba T. Safety design for space systems. Butterworth-Heinemann. 2009. doi:1016/B978-0-7506-8580-1.00018-X.
13. Tetzlaff K, Thorsen E. Breathing at depth: physiologic and clinical aspects of diving while breathing compressed gas. Clin Chest Med. 2005;26(3):355–3 doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2005.05.001.
14. Memon H, Liao S, Maryam R, Patrucco A, Riccardi C. Development of medical masks: performance, properties, and prospects. Mater Adv. 2024;5(21):8333–83doi:10.1039/d4ma00129j.
15. Janczarek M, Ślosarczyk A, Klapiszewska I, Riha J, Jesionowski T, Klapiszewski Ł. Airborne bioaerosols in healthcare facilities–transmission routes and mitigation strategies. A review. J Build Eng. 2024:111015. doi:1016/j.jobe.2024.111015.

Breathing apparatuses are essential in hazardous environments, ensuring respiratory protection for workers in industries, such as firefighting, chemical handling, and emergency response. This study examines the critical parameters influencing the design, performance, and safety of breathing apparatus systems. Key parameters include oxygen delivery efficiency, filtration capacity, ergonomic design, and durability under extreme conditions. Oxygen supply mechanisms, including open-circuit and closed-circuit systems, are evaluated for their suitability in various operational contexts. Filtration technologies, particularly in self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), are analyzed for their effectiveness in removing toxic particulates and gases. Ergonomics and weight distribution are also highlighted, emphasizing their impact on user fatigue and mobility. Furthermore, the durability of materials under high temperatures, mechanical stress, and prolonged use is considered. Innovations in sensor integration and real-time monitoring are explored, enhancing safety through early detection of equipment failure or environmental hazards. Finally, this review underscores the need for compliance with international safety standards and rigorous training to optimize the efficacy of breathing apparatuses in life-critical scenarios

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Colburn D, Russo L, Burkard R, Hostler D. Firefighter protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus does not alter balance testing using a standard sensory organization test or motor control test in healthy, rested individuals. Appl Ergon. 2019;80:187–1 doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2019.05.010.
2. Hostler D, Pendergast DR. Respiratory responses during exercise in self-contained breathing apparatus among firefighters and nonfirefighters. Saf Health Work. 2018;9(4):468–4 doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2018.02.002.
3. Donnelly MK, Yang JC. Experimental and modeling study of thermal exposure of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Burns. 2015;41(5):1017–10 doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.11.008.
4. Fernandes L, Martins RF, Silva PP. Design of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) using a carbon fibre reinforced polymer and filament winding. Cienc Tecnol Mater. 2017;29(1):e108–1 doi:10.1016/j.ctmat.2017.05.001.
5. Ledford DK. Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus diving and asthma: Where are we in 2023? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023;130(4):463–46 doi:10.1016/j.anai.2023.01.023.
6. Bahadori A. Personnel protection and safety equipment for the oil and gas industries. Gulf Prof Publ. 2015. doi:1016/B978-0-12-802814-8.00001-8.
7. Hsiao YD, Chang CT. Efficient multi-objective optimization and operational analysis of amine scrubbing CO2 capture process with artificial neural network. Int J Greenh Gas Control. 2024;138:104242. doi:1016/j.ijggc.2024.104242.
8. Palm A, Kumm M, Storm A, Lönnermark A. Breathing air consumption during different firefighting methods in underground mining environment. Fire Saf J. 2022;133:103661. doi:1016/j.firesaf.2022.103661.
9. Hooper AJ, Crawford JO, Thomas D. An evaluation of physiological demands and comfort between the use of conventional and lightweight self-contained breathing apparatus. Appl Ergon. 2001;32(4):399– doi:10.1016/S0003-6870(01)00007-2.
10. Mutzbauer TS, Neubauer B, Mueller PH, Tetzlaff K. Modification of the closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus LAR V makes it suitable for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Resuscitation. 1998;39(1–2):75– doi:10.1016/S0300-9572(98)00104-X.
11. Obuskovic G, Sirkar KK. Liquid membrane-based CO2 reduction in a breathing apparatus. J Membr Sci. 2012;389:424–4 doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2011.11.008.
12. Musgrave GE, Larsen A, Sgobba T. Safety design for space systems. Butterworth-Heinemann. 2009. doi:1016/B978-0-7506-8580-1.00018-X.
13. Tetzlaff K, Thorsen E. Breathing at depth: physiologic and clinical aspects of diving while breathing compressed gas. Clin Chest Med. 2005;26(3):355–3 doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2005.05.001.
14. Memon H, Liao S, Maryam R, Patrucco A, Riccardi C. Development of medical masks: performance, properties, and prospects. Mater Adv. 2024;5(21):8333–83doi:10.1039/d4ma00129j.
15. Janczarek M, Ślosarczyk A, Klapiszewska I, Riha J, Jesionowski T, Klapiszewski Ł. Airborne bioaerosols in healthcare facilities–transmission routes and mitigation strategies. A review. J Build Eng. 2024:111015. doi:1016/j.jobe.2024.111015.