How to Use a Scott SCBA

Scott Air-Paks protect from smoke and hazardous gases.

The Scott Air-Pak is self-contained breathing apparatus designed to provide protection in low-oxygen or toxic atmospheres. The unit includes a frame and harness mounted on the back, an air cylinder and valve connected to a faceplate-mounted regulator and a face mask with head harness. The first Scott-Air Pak, the 6000 B4a, was developed in 1945 and marketed to firefighters. By 2010, Scott had a 55 percent market share in the fire service with SCBA units, and eight of the 11 largest U.S. cities use Scott Air-Paks.

Instructions

1. Check that the air cylinder is full and securely held to the backpack. Spread the shoulder straps of the unit and open the waist pad. Pull the respirator onto your back. Adjust the shoulder straps and pull them down to securely hold the unit to your back. Connect the waist buckles and pull on the ends to tighten them. Straighten and adjust the shoulder straps to carry the weight of the Air-Pak on the hips.

2. Inspect the facepiece. Check that the inhalation valves are properly installed and the nose cup is seated. Pull the head straps fully outward. Hold the facepiece in one hand while you hold the head harness by the strap with the other. Put the facepiece against your face and pull the head harness over your head. Check to make sure that the seal between the facepiece and the face is tight and that hair or clothing is not interfering. Pull the lower straps on the facepiece back to tighten the neck straps. Press the head harness down using both hands to ensure that it is flat on the back of the head. Readjust the neck straps as needed. Pull the temple straps to the back of the head to tighten them.

3. Push down on the center of the air saver/donning switch on top of the regulator and release it. Ensure that the regulator gasket is in place around the outlet port. Align the regulator port with the facepiece port. The regulator's red purge valve will be in the 12 o'clock position. Press the regulator into the face piece. Rotate the regulator to the left until the lock tab clicks into place. The regulator is locked when it will not rotate.

4. Reach back to the underside of the air cylinder and turn the valve until it is fully open. This will take about two and a half turns. The valve will stop turning when it's open. Check the alarms on the Air-Pak. The Vibralert will actuate and stop. The Heads-Up Display will initialize and show the air level in the cylinder. The Pak Alert SE 7 distress alarm will chirp three times. Inhale sharply. The respirator will actuate and air will flow freely from the cylinder.

References

• Scott Health and Safety: About Scott
• Scott Health and Safety: Scott Air-Pal and Air-Pak 75 Operating and Maintenance Instructions