Siebe Gorman Salvus

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Siebe Gorman Salvus

The Siebe Gorman Salvus is a type of closed-circuit breathing apparatus used primarily for underwater diving and firefighting. It was developed by the British company Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd., which has a long history of producing diving equipment and respiratory protection devices.

History

The Siebe Gorman Salvus was introduced in the early 20th century as a reliable and efficient means of providing breathable air in hazardous environments. The apparatus was widely adopted by navies, fire brigades, and industrial safety teams around the world.

Design and Function

The Siebe Gorman Salvus operates on the principle of closed-circuit rebreathing, which allows the user to recycle exhaled air by removing carbon dioxide and replenishing oxygen. This system is advantageous in situations where the supply of breathable air is limited or where the presence of toxic gases makes open-circuit breathing apparatus impractical.

The key components of the Siebe Gorman Salvus include:

• A breathing bag that stores the user's exhaled air.
• A carbon dioxide scrubber that removes CO2 from the exhaled air.
• An oxygen cylinder that adds fresh oxygen to the recycled air.
• A demand valve that regulates the flow of oxygen.

Applications

The Siebe Gorman Salvus has been used in various applications, including:

• Underwater diving: Providing a reliable source of breathable air for divers operating at depths where traditional scuba equipment may be less effective.
• Firefighting: Allowing firefighters to enter smoke-filled environments without the risk of inhaling toxic fumes.
• Industrial safety: Protecting workers in environments with hazardous gases or insufficient oxygen levels.

Legacy

The Siebe Gorman Salvus is considered a significant advancement in the field of respiratory protection and has influenced the design of modern rebreathers and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The principles and technologies developed for the Salvus continue to be used in contemporary breathing apparatuses.

Related Pages

• Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.
• Closed-circuit breathing apparatus
• Rebreather
• Self-contained breathing apparatus
• Underwater diving
• Firefighting
• Industrial safety