title: A modified SCBA facepiece for accurate metabolic data collection from firefighters.
abstract: To better assess the energy expenditure and exertion of firefighters during simulated firefighting activities, a commercial firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) facepiece was modified to interface with a portable metabolic monitoring device (Cosmed K4b(2)) while still functioning as a positive pressure SCBA air supply. To validate the device, standard National Fire Protection Association 1981 SCBA function tests were conducted and 14 subjects performed variable-workload assessments using all combinations of two test devices (Cosmed K4b(2) and metabolic cart) and two masks (modified SCBA facepiece and stock manufacturer-supplied breath collection). Metabolic data collected with the Cosmed K4b(2) via the modified facepiece were found to be accurate when compared to a ParvoMedics Truemax 2400 metabolic cart (average per cent difference: 4.6%). This modified facepiece design is suitable for use in metabolic studies requiring the utilisation of an SCBA system. Furthermore, the well-established overestimation of oxygen consumption from the Cosmed K4b(2) system was replicated.
authors.affiliation: a Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kesler
authors.forename: Elizabeth T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Hsiao-Wecksler
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Motl
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Klaren
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ensari
authors.forename: Gavin P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Horn
mesh_terms: D000068598:Data Accuracy; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D061388:Firefighters; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: firefighting; gas analysis; oxygen uptake; respiration; self-contained breathing apparatus