Evaluation of a Passenger Mask Modified with a Rebreather Bag for Protection from Smoke and Fumes

摘要

A series of experiments were conducted in an altitude chamber at ground level, 8,000 ft, 14,000 ft, and 21,500 ft, both with and without exercise, to evaluate the potential for providing protection from smoke and fumes for airline passengers while wearing a standard continuous-flow passenger mask modified by the addition of a rebreather bag. It was determined that it would provide increased protection for those individuals who had tidal volumes of 1.5 L or less. However, it would not function properly for those individuals who had tidal volumes greater than 1.5 L. Either the carbon dioxide levels were too great (above 15 mm Hg partial pressure) or the rebreather bag collapsed. These results indicate that the addition of the rebreather bag to the passenger mask has the potential for providing protection from smoke and fumes, but the system must have appropriately balanced valve resistances and appropriately sized valve openings. This critical balance has not yet been achieved for those individuals with large tidal volumes. Keywords: Passenger masks; In-flight aircraft fires; Protective breathing equipment.