A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), also referred to as a compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) or simply breathing apparatus (BA), is a device worn to provide breathable air in an environment that is immediately dangerous to your life or health. The term self-contained means that the SCBA is not dependent on a remote supply of breathing gas. Unofficial names include air pack, air tank, or oxygen cylinder.
An SCBA typically has three main components: a high-pressure tank, a pressure regulator, and an inhalation connection (mouthpiece, mouth mask or face mask), connected together and mounted to a carrying frame. A self-contained breathing apparatus may fall into one of two categories: open-circuit or closed-circuit.
