SCBA...which do you perfer?

[nobull911]

My department uses the Survivair Panther packs. I like the fit and the light weight. I don't like the closed masks because when your regulator is not in, it makes it very difficult to breath. I have used the scott in training and I like the mask much better, the fresh air before putting the regulator in, but I don't like the way the pack fits. We are not looking to buy new packs but I was interested what kind of SCBA other people liked and why.

[MFD]

we're running MSA(don't know the model)(but there old ) we got steel and fiberglass bottles.
the thing i don't like about them is the the hip regulators. I like mask regulators(like on Scotts) we got 2200 bottles. only thing is almost all the depts around here run MSAs. If we had the money i'd like to go to Scott 4500s(cause i'm 6 ft 6 300 lbs and i can drain a 2200 quick)

[ninja]

Maplewood,

You made a comment about wanting 4500 PSI bottles instead of the 2200 PSI bottles because you drain the 2200 bottles too quick. The higher pressure does not mean that there is twice as much air in your bottle. Given the same size bottle, if you were to put air in at 4500 PSI you would have more air, but in general the 4500 PSI bottles are smaller bottles at higher pressure. The net result is that both are considered 30 minute bottles.
There are 45 minute and 60 minute bottles but these are larger and at least in my area are not commonly used. A good advantage of 4500 PSI bottles is that they are lighter weight than a corresponding 2200 PSI bottle and therefore fatigue will be less possibly allowing you to get a few more minutes out of the same amount of air.

[MetalMedic]

We have Scott Air Packs. I do like the removable regulator from the face, but they do leave something to be desired as to ease of donning compared to others.

My previous department had Survivair. I liked their mask (these were older models) better than the Scott's of the time. They were also much easier to done for me.

I have also worked with National Dreager. In some ways, I like their air pack the bst of the three. My only concern is that the regulator seems a bit flimsy which makes me wonder how much abuse it would take on the fire scene before failaing.

[JimDWFD]

My department just switched to Scott. The mask is easy to breath through before connecting the regulator. The air flow to the facepiece is better. The over all weight is 8 pounds lighter than our old SCBA. The clips on the straps are the only thing thats difficult to get use to.

Our old SCBA were MSA 4500psi with the waist mounted regulator.

Just my two cents.

Stay Safe

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Have you ever wondered why SCBA manufacturers are constantly developing newer units?

Scott Air Paks! They take the abuse that a firefighter puts then through!

[retrotex]

nobull, what department do you run with? My department also uses Survivair Panthers. I like the packs a lot but agree with you on the masks, it is hard to breathe with the regulator out.

[cookred03]

I use the Draeger Airboss Evolution, great system with automated pass, LCD display, but the mask sucks.

[ceno2749]

Both companies I run with use Scott. Of all the packs I have used in my career, I prefer the Scotts.

[FF41230]

We use MSA air packs. We have the old kind (4500'S AND 2200'S) and the new face mount regulator packs.(3000 psi.) the new ones are lite weight and really good.

[firecadetak]

My dept used Interspiros. most people have good things to say about them, there aren't many flaws.

[Adze39]

Scott 2A's!!!!

just kidding...I didn't really care for those things...

Scott Air-pak 4.5 45 minute bottles...of course, I haven't tried any other brands in the last 5 or 6 years...I'm sure they've improved a little...

[CanFiremedic1]

We use MSA mask mounted regulators with 30 minute carbon fibre cylinders. They suck. They are still heavy and the dragonfly system is a waste of time. You cant carry anything or swing an axe without setting the alarms off accidently . I have used the Scotts and love 'em. It is lighter and way more comfortable.

[fire69dawg]

I prefer a full one!


JK- We currently have Scott's, and they work very well, nice and light compared to the old steel MSA's

[engine117]

We use the new MSA and also a few old MSA Ultralite 2. The newer ones with the carbon fiber cylinder are nice. You hardly notice that they are there! Definitely have to say that it would be my first choice.

[GBordas]

The Scott pak is the best back. We have used the 4.5's for a long time. The best improvements to them has been the lighter, composite bottles and the padded straps. What I don't like about them is the integrated PASS alarms and the newer pak frames. They are too rigid. The older wire frames were much better because they atleast had a little give to them if you fell on them. The newer ones hurt your back if you fall on them.

But overall it is still the best mask. As Captian Gonzo stated they have proven their worth through the abuses of firefighting.

[MFD]

gotta agree about the DragonFly PASS devices blow. i KNOW when your on the scene you shouldn't turn off your PASS but at training(when we train with the rest of the guys from the county you gotta take the STUPID KEY and turn it off) (now at the full time dept near us) they hit a little button to turn it off. of all the guys i've talked to on Full time depts most of them perfer Scott over all of them. Look at all your major cities like FDNY,Orlando, Chicago(they all run Scott). the thing i like about the scotts is the removeable facepiece regulators.(easier to wash and work on them)personally if i was a chief looking into buying air packs and it was fairly close priced between Scott and MSA(and the Scott was 200-300 bucks more)i'd go with the Scott in a second. and i Don't think the MSAs will take the beating like the Scotts do. I put down the bottle kinda of hard at training once and broke the bottle regulator. I've seen guys with Scotts put them down way harder than that and pick them up and there ready to go.

[Fitguy51]

Our FD has always used SCOTT. Now using 4.5's with the new frame and integrated PASS. They are very comfortable. At the World Championships of the Firefighters Combat Challenge, in Memphis, last November when I reached the finish line I missed the mat and fell to the pavement. I believe the frame spread the force of the fall out so much that I never felt it at all.

[jeg532]

scott is the way to go, the air force uses interspiro, for now anyway, and they are terrible.

[mediator]

My department currently has about 10 of the panther packs and we love them. No problems what so ever. I still like the scotts though.