Abstract
The effects of wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during a
simulated rescue activity were studied in 18 volunteers. Most existing studies have used
treadmills to create exertion as opposed to actual simulated activity. Each participant
completed a simulated rescue exercise whilst wearing the SCBA. After a minimum
period of two weeks, the same participants completed an identical simulated rescue event,
this time without the SCBA. Physiological variables that were assessed included heart
rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), tympanic membrane temperature and blood lactate levels
as well as time taken to complete the event and opinions of the use of the SCBA. There
were no significant differences in the physiological variables measured between control
and experimental groups. This is similar to some treadmill studies.