Életmentő készület

The Életmenő készület (life-saving equipment) was the first working SCBA ever developed. Designed by a Hungarian engineer Kőszeghi Mártony Károly between 1828 and 1830.

Overview[]

Tank[]

The tank was forged not welded as on the modern SCBAs because that time welding technologies were unavailable. There were no pressure indicators, pressure reducer valve as well. The tank could be refilled through the valve on the bottom and it operated on 60 Atm pressure (60,8 Bar). This amount of air is enough for 30 minutes.

Valve system[]

Two flexible pipe connected the tap with the tank. One of the pipe was filled with tin to function as an equalizer. The tap was a normal adjustable one so the operator could lower or increase the airflow. A whistle was blown by the air which had a clear sharp sound when the airflow was good but as the pressure dropped in the tank the sound became quieter so the user had to unscrew the tap more and more. When the tap was unscrewed fully and the sound was not sharp and clear the user had to leave the contaminated area because the tank was low on air.

Mask[]

The mask was made of goat leather with two round glass eyepieces. It looks like a giraffe because of the long front part which meant to increase the efficiency by allowing the exhaled air to mixed with the fresh air from the tank. The mask was under positive pressure and the air was blown out on the neck part.

History[]

In 1827 three officers died on a fortress attacking training because of toxic gasses of burned gunpowder. The army asked a well-known engineer, Kőszeghi Mártony Károly, to solve this problem in 1828. He came up with the solution two years later in 1830. The equipment was tested in a pit where 5 pounds of gunpowder was burned and the existence of CO₂was tested by candles. Two soldiers entered the pit and both of them came out 22 minutes later. After a second candle test the soldiers re-entered but they came out after 9 minutes because the tanks were low on air. The mine and military experts were very satisfied so they marked the equipment as useful for military and civilian purposes and production started. According to some sources it was used by the French Army as well.