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Permalink Reply by Charley Cashen on February 7, 2011 at 4:21pm

How does it handle elevated temperatures? I personally think you should work on basic techniques and don't get yourself in a situation that would require it. I also see the possibility of this so called 15 minutes more to be used as a working time as opposed as an escape time.

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Permalink Reply by Miguel Ochoa on February 7, 2011 at 5:00pm

So to get back to my original question, you've had personal experience with this product, and/or training?

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 7, 2011 at 6:12pm

Asking another question on an internet forum isn't a big deal, nor is getting a different opinion.

For me, nope never used it, no personal experience, but I do agree with Charley in that it can take away from air mgmt and situational awareness in cases and can also create a sense of an individual to stay in longer because they have an extra 15 minutes.

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Permalink Reply by Miguel Ochoa on February 8, 2011 at 11:29am

My only experience with a negative pressure mask like this was having to wear a chemical mask during exercises mostly in open-air areas, and even then, physical exertion was still a little difficult. Now, considering the physical stress one goes through in a fire, not to mention anxiety of being lost, and/or trapped when your vibe-alert goes off, the only thing that will be going through your mind is to get out and get out now.

I agree with air-management, situational awareness, etc., and though I don't believe in buying every single thing out there on the market, this product seems pretty practical to me. Seems like only big dept that have adopted it is L.A. City.

- Stay low, and stay safe.

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Permalink Reply by Oldman on February 8, 2011 at 12:17pm

We have them on all SCBAs. We train with them about once a year. They work, according to the arterial blood gas values which were done in the trials during live burns.

The negative pressure needed to breath through one especially after strenuous activity, might actually be a detriment to getting out alive. Would I use one? ONLY if I were in immediate danger. As others have stated, I prefer to utilize situational awareness and not put myself into a situation where I would have to wear one. Oh yeah, the "15 min" is actually closer to 10 min, and with some people, might be less.

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