Air-Pak Refresher

The Emergency Breathing Support System (Buddy Breathing) Hose allows the user to share or “buddy-breathe” from a second Scott SCBA without disconnecting the regulator supply hose. The system is not universal across SCBA types or departments and can be only be used by another user with a similar system. The EBBS utilizes a 2 ½’ hose with a dual female/male connection port, allowing users to maneuver up to 5’ apart. To operate the EBBS, either port can be connected. Only one set of connections needs to be plugged in to function and the system can support multiple users by daisychaining the connection ports.

The EBBS Hose is normally stored downward in a pouch secured on the right side of the waist strap (when worn), utilizing two snap buttons. It is also secured to a holder within the pouch by rotating one-quarter turn. Always keep the connections covered and the breathing hose stored in its pouch downward to prevent debris from blocking the ports.

Buddy Breathing Mechanics

When an SCBA air cylinder is less than 25% full (~1100 psi), the low cylinder transfer valve in the pressure reducer switches from the primary to the secondary system. The secondary reducer provides a higher pressure to the regulator which activates the Vibralert.

WARNING: If the EBSS hoses are connected to an SCBA with an active Vibralert, AIR WILL BE PROVIDED TO BOTH USERS FROM THE LOWER AIR CYLINDER due to the higher reducer pressure of the low cylinder (~160 psi).

This is critical to understand because it means that two firefighters are now both depleting the lowest bottle. Also, due to the higher pressure, this will activate both users’ Vibralerts even though one SCBA may have greater than 25% air. After the low cylinder has been brought below the pressure needed to activate the secondary reducer and Vibralert (~120 psi), air will be switched and be provided by the higher cylinder. If that cylinder is greater than 25%, both Vibralerts will secure until the bottle reaches that level, in which case they will activate again.

WARNING: It is critical to understand that once the EBSS system switches to the higher bottle, the low bottle user has less than 120 psi of air left (less than 60 seconds). Any disconnection of the EBSS hose after that point may lead to fatal consequences.

Example:

• User 1 has 500 psi. User 2 has 3000 psi.

• User 1 has an active Vibralert due to air being below 1100 psi. User 2does not.

• If User 2 connects to User 1 with a buddy breathing hose, both users will feel their Vibralert and both will be breathing from the 500 psi bottle.

• When the low bottle reaches ~120 psi, User 1 and 2 will begin breathing on the 3000 psi bottle. Both Vibralerts will secure.

• Ultimately, both User 1 and User 2 will breathe the second bottle to below ~1100 psi and the Vibralerts will activate for each user.

• If at any time after the buddy breathing system has switched to the higher cylinder (indicated by Vibralert going off), User 1 disconnects, there will be ~1 min. of air remaining in the low cylinder.

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) / Universal Air Connector (UAC)

The RIC connection is a universal air connection (UAC) used to resupply air to a downed firefighter in the event of a RIC deployment or trapped firefighter scenario. It is a high pressure (up to 4500 psi) procedure which refills the downed firefighter’s air cylinder by equalizing pressure between it and the RIC cylinder. It consists of a large UAC located at the lower left side of pressure reducing block (when worn or viewed from the bottle side). It should always be covered with a dust cap for protection from debris blocking the port. The UAC fitting is used in conjunction with a quick-fill hose and a 60-minute air cylinder contained in RIC bags. The UAC fitting is universal to all SCBA types that are NFPA compliant and may be used in a multi-agency scenario. 

(Located on T4 - Inside cab behind driver)

(Located on E2 - Medical cabinet R1)

The RIT-Pak Fast Attack provides an intuitive design enabling RIT teams to focus on locating and assessing the downed firefighter. The system is comprised of a pressure reducer, high-pressure charging wand, low-pressure air supply hose, mask-mounted breathing regulator, facepiece, and a lightweight carrying bag.