Life support breathing system for first responders and homeland security: "TACR" - Tactical Rebreather

In response to requirements by the Counter Terrorism Tactical Support Office's, (CTTSO), Technical Support Working Group, (TSWG), a Tactical Rebreather, called "TACR" was designed and built by ESS of CA and O2 Dive Technologies of TX, under contract with TPI of MA. The increasing threat of international and domestic terrorism has expanded the need for protective equipment within and beyond traditional boundaries. Tactical security, law enforcement and other response units are sometimes required to enter or transit an area which may be contaminated with toxic industrial chemicals, fire by-products or chemical or biological agents. Depending on the situation, it may not be acceptable or operationally suitable for the personnel to use 'open loop' or negative pressure filtered respirators due to the nature of the contaminant or even its physical state (e.g. super heated air). In these situations a CBR is required. TACR - or TACtical Rebreather, is capable of 180 minutes of life support, is economically small, lightweight (weighing less then 20 lbs.), rapidly donnable, low cost, and interface with existing full-face masks with standard NATO interfaces. Additionally, it is to be easy to maintain, and have a short training period for first responders. Besides these fundamental requirements, TSWG provided valuable meetings with field first responders so that their various needs were also incorporated into the design. TACR is a CBR unit and is expected to go on for NIOSH testing and approval. Its many design features allow it to be adapted for all capabilities including meeting NFPA requirements of passive alarm and heads up display. Further adaptations will include environmental HAZMET "bunny" suits and other rigorous environments and applications. This device will be of commercial interest to DOD/SOCOM, FBI, and USSS, other federal, state and local Law Enforcement Agencies, fire fighters, urban and rural rescue teams and industrial First Responders. The TACR unit and ADAR second stage regulator, and all components herein are prototype proprietary by ESS and O2 Dive Technologies. This unit is currently not for sale.