Eli5: why do firefighters wear oxygen masks when fighting a building fire, but often not in a wildfire? You’re still breathing in smoke…
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Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) delivers smoke-free air to the wearer in all conditions. Its purpose is to protect firefighters from fatal atmospheres by providing a constant supply of fresh air.
A tank worn on the back supplies compressed air to a regulator that can either deliver the air on demand with each breath, or delivers air as a constsnt stream.
The regulator feeds a mask which forms an airtight seal around the face, preventing smoke ingress.
Some SCBA systems are designed to deliver breathable air even if the wearer is submerged in shallow water (to a depth of about 1 meter or so).
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