Protective Breathing Equipment, (PBE)

[PTK]

Most of us carry a fire extinguisher along with a CO detector on the airplane, and the ones who don't should strongly consider it. But has anyone given any thought to PBE, aka a smoke hood? These are relatively inexpensive, very light and easy to have onboard. In the event of an inflight fire a fire extinguisher is great but smoke inhalation will still incapacitate and kill in short order.

I think we owe it to our passengers and ourselves to consider these life saving devices. I'm researching different ones and plan on having one per seat as permanent equipment. The better ones not only filter out smoke particulates but also protect against CO by converting it to relatively harmless CO2. Some also incorporate an O2 generator.

[N201MKTurbo]

Seems like a good idea. In the mooney if you can't clear the smoke by opening the ice window or the door, I would be more concerned about the fire burning the flesh off my bones.

In all seriousness, I think they would be more valuable while traveling on an airliner.

[The-sky-captain]

Good write up...

http://www.avweb.com/news/safety/cockpit_smoke_hoods_197712-1.html

[bd32322]

Curious .. Are these smoke hoods one time use only? Even if they were - thats fine. After all how often will you get a fire in the cockpit.

[Bennett]

I have a pair of the Parat-C hoods in the pilot and co-pilot seat back pockets. As the article reports, they are not cheap, but they are of industrial quality, and I have seen how CO can disable a pilot and passenger. Two of my good friends are very lucky they made it to an airstrip before becoming unconscious. Both were hospitalized, and one quit flying. The Parat-C units are a bit bulky to store, but of little use if they are not at hand.

[Rwsavory]

I had a small electrical fire in a glider during an aero tow some years ago. Wires to a electric variometer shorted out (no fuse). Very unpleasant. However, smoke hoods are not on my shopping list at present.

[bd32322]

I have a pair of the Parat-C hoods in the pilot and co-pilot seat back pockets. As the article reports, they are not cheap, but they are of industrial quality, and I have seen how CO can disable a pilot and passenger. Two of my good friends are very lucky they made it to an airstrip before becoming unconscious. Both were hospitalized, and one quit flying. The Parat-C units are a bit bulky to store, but of little use if they are not at hand.

Damn! Good everyone made it back alive. Too bad one of them quit flying.

I am going to keep the smoke hoods in the cockpit from now on. Its cheap compared to everything else I have been paying for

Just thinking of the decades old wiring back there gives me pause.

[PTK]

The Brookdale Evac-U8 seems like a nice one as well and comes very highly recommended. It's relatively inexpensive at ~70$ as well.

http://www.aeromedix.com/aeromedix_articles/smokehood/index.html

[N601RX]

It was recalled several years ago because it did not work. The company then went out of business.

It seems several companies who were selling it are now selling this model

http://www.safeescape.com/2LAD/ASE30.html

[aviatoreb]

I have one of these things that I keep at the ready for when I go very high as a backup o2 system: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/handheldoxygen.php?clickkey=4346

 

I wonder how it would serve as a backup breathing system in a smokey cockpit? Obviously if there are flames then pure o2 is not what is wanted, but if there is smoke.

 

Thoughts?

[Bennett]

I would think that O2 is not the best way to deal with noxious smoke. The dedicated smoke hoods have charcoal filters to deal with carbon monoxide, which along with the smoke particulates, are the most dangerous elements beyond actual fire. I also like the fact that the better of these smoke hoods allow vision to continue without "stuff" in the eyes. Fly long enough and most of use will eventually smell smoke in the cockpit - most likely from an electrical problem. Most will not require a smoke hood, but if actual fire erupts, then they could save your life and that of your passengers. I also have a set of the more basic smoke hoods in the rear seat back pouches. I have two Halon fire extinguishers in the airplane. One between the pilot and co-pilot seats, and a smaller one in the pilot side foot pouch.

[bd32322]

Hmmm buggers have a shelf life of 5 years

[bd32322]

Hmmm buggers have a shelf life of 5 years

 

correction the Parat-C smoke hood (from one of the avweb articles referenced above) has a shelf life of 12 years and 6 years for the filter (replaceable)

[PTK]

Didn't realize the Evac-U8 was not available. I wad looking at an older write-up!

As far as O2, that supplementary one looks good and useful as a backup. It may not be ideal in an emergency situation trying to use it along with a smoke hood. There are PBE's which incorporate an O2 generator in their design but may be cumbersome in our application.

http://www.basaaviation.com/pbe_e.shtml

http://www.airportshop.com/aviation_oxygen/scott_protective_breathing_equipment.html

The Parat C seems adequate. As Bennett said most cases will only involve a smell of smoke.

The way I see it if a full blown fire erupts in my cockpit... it just wasn't my day!! Or maybe someone is trying to tell me that it was my day!