title: Physiologic effects of a self-contained self-rescuer.
abstract: Recently promulgated federal regulations mandate the provision of an emergency, self-contained, oxygen-supplying breathing device (self-contained self-rescuer, SCSR) to all underground coalminers. In order to assist in defining the potential limitations of this new device, we measured the responses of ten healthy coal mine inspectors to submaximal steady-state treadmill exercise with and without the SCSR. During the last minute of exercise, blood oxygen saturation averaged 98.3% and mouth pressure swing 15.6 cm H2O with the device, compared to 94.8% and 10.4 cm H2O without it. Mean respiratory rates were decreased to 25/min with the SCSR from 28/min without it. Blood pressure, core temperature and heart rate were unaffected. We conclude that in healthy individuals on submaximal exercise there is little evidence of a significant adverse effect of the new device.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003032:Coal Mining; D004867:Equipment Design; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011482:Protective Devices; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices