Universal Breathing Mask for Emergencies

Navy Lt. Daniel Conley was wearing a gas mask during a U.S. Navy drill whe a fire was also simulated. But there was a problem — gas masks don’t deliver oxygen when an environment is oxygen-deprived. It made Lt. Conley question whether the Navy had the right mask solution for multiple environments.

Conventional masks cater to specific scenarios, meaning sailors must switch masks if faced with evolving or overlapping emergencies. This process risks exposure or incapacitation during the critical moments of mask transition. In some cases, the ship may not even be outfitted with enough of a specific mask type for every sailor.

Oceanit is working with the U.S. Navy to develop the next-generation Universal Breathing Mask (UBM) that adapts to multiple overlapping threats and situations, including fire and smoke, hazardous gases, air deprivation, flooding, and more. The UBM combines the functionalities of an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) for safe egress, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) mask for hazardous gases, a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for firefighting, and also provides underwater breathing capability.

Moreover, the UBM offers significant safety advantages as a reusable piece of equipment, in stark contrast to single-use EEBDs. Because the EEBD is a one-time-use apparatus, most U.S. sailors have never actually deployed one, receiving training only through presentations or demonstrations on dummies. This lack of hands-on experience is a concern for the Navy, especially as the EEBD is a nationally certified device, relied upon heavily by the military and mandated for all passenger ships.

Oceanit’s novel UBM facilitates actual hands-on training for users with interchangeable components that lock into place but aren’t necessarily consumed, thereby reducing workplace hazards and improving preparedness.

The development of the Universal Breathing Mask represents a significant advancement in shipboard emergency response equipment. The comprehensive design enhances the safety and preparedness of Navy personnel and holds promise for broader applications in various high-risk professions, such as civilian sailing and firefighting. By enabling rapid adaptation to diverse or simultaneous emergency scenarios and by facilitating practical training experiences, the UBM will become an indispensable tool in ensuring safety and readiness in critical situations.