Emeregency Scape Breathing Device (EEBD) / Emergency Life Support Apparatus (ELSA).
SOLAS Amendment Regulations II-2/13.3.4 And 13.4.3 Came Into Force On 1 July 2002, All Vessels Had To Be Equipped With EEBDs.
Here Are The 10 Points You Need To Know About EEBD.
1. The ELSA Is A Short Duration Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus For Escape Purposes Only. They Are Not To Be Used For Any Other Purpose Except To Escape To A Safe Zone.
2. The ELSA Is Available In Varying Cylinder Capacities From 1.0 Litre To 3.3 Litres Having Usage Duration Between 5 And 15 Minutes.
3. The Apparatus Is Lightweight, Easy To Carry And Use And Comes In A Flame Retardant, Fluorescent Yellow Carrying Bag.
4. The Cylinders Are Usually Charged To A Pressure Of About 200 Bars.
5. Instant Action : The Constant Flow Air Supply Is Automatically Activated Upon Opening The Bag. A Quick Release Pin Is Fitted To The Pressure Reducing Valve And Attached To The Bag Via A Strap. The Action Of Opening The Bag Pulls The Strap – Thus Releasing The Pin.
6. The Combined Cylinder And Pressure Reducing Valve Is Fitted To The Cylinder And Mechanism With Fixed Orifice Outlet; The Valve Indicator And Warning Whistle Which Sounds When The Designated Duration Is Reached. A Pressure Relief Valve Protects The System From Over Pressurisation.
7. The Air Hood May Utilise A Cuboid Design For Optimum Comfort And Visibility. The Three Sided Flat Visor Provides Peripheral Vision With The Shape Helping To Alleviate The Feelings Of Restriction. The Hood Can Be Easily Flat Packed For Stowage Without Creasing The Visor Whilst Allowing Rapid Removal From The Bag For Easy Donning. The Hood Is Fabricated From PVC Coated Materials With An Ozone Resistant Elastomeric Neck Seal.
8. Warning Whistle : The ELSA Features A Duration Whistle That Is Activated When The Air Is Depleted, Indicating That The CO2 Level Within The Hood Exceeds The Performance Specification.
9. The ELSA Bag : The Bag Is Fabricated From Either A High Visibility PVC Coated Material Or An Anti-static, Black Polyurethane Material. The Bag Allows For Quick Donning, Can Be Comfortably Carried In Two Orientations And May Be Used With An Optional Waist Belt. Velcro Strips Secure The Opening With Tamper Proof Tags Supplied To Prevent Unauthorised Access. A Transparent Window Is Provided To Allow The Cylinder Contents Gauge And Activation Pin To Be Inspected Without Opening The Bag.
10. In Any Case It Should Not Be Used For Fire Fighting Or Rescue Operations.
Donning Instructions For ELSA
1. Check The Pressure Gauge – The Needle Should Be In The Green Area (about 200 Bars). Wear The Strap Around Your Neck With The Valve Towards Your Right Hand.
2. Put Your Left Hand Through The Strap.
3. Lift Flap And Remove Plastic Hood. Turn On The Cylinder Valve, About Two Full Turns.
4. Pull Hood Over The Head.
5. Breathe Normally And Proceed To Emergency Escape.
6. Like The Breathing Apparatus, They Can Also Be Charged On Board.
7. Follow Manufacturer's Instructions For Maintenance Of The Equipment.