'Proto' self-contained breathing rescue apparatus

One of six examples of mine rescue ‘Proto’ breathing apparatus, consisting of harness, gas bottle and regulator, breathing bag with canvas holder, head harness, goggles, miner's lamp and helmet. Produced by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Details

Category:
Mining & Ore Dressing
Object Number:
1951-663/1
type:
breathing apparatus

Parts

Harness for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus

Harness for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus

Canvas and metal harness with belt to carry gas cylinder and regulator for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

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'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Measurements:
overall: 340 mm x 250 mm x 180 mm,
Object Number:
1951-663/1/1
type:
harness
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Gas bottle and regulator for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Gas bottle and regulator for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Steel oxygen bottle fitted with regulator valve and pressure dial for for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

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'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Measurements:
overall: 370 mm x 460 mm x 280 mm,
Object Number:
1951-663/1/2
type:
oxygen bottle and regulator valve
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Breathing bag with gas scrubber for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Breathing bag with gas scrubber for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Rubber breathing bag fitted with ‘Protosorb’ carbon dioxide scrubbing unit and breathing tubes with mouthpiece for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Measurements:
overall: 105 mm x 1070 mm x 420 mm,
Object Number:
1951-663/1/3
type:
bag
Canvas holder for breathing bag from 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Canvas holder for breathing bag from 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Canvas bag fitted with shoulder straps to carry breathing bag with fittings for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Object Number:
1951-663/1/4
type:
bag
Head harness for breathing tubes of 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Head harness for breathing tubes of 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Canvas head harness to support breathing tubes with mouthpiece for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Measurements:
overall: 75 mm x 330 mm x 120 mm,
Object Number:
1951-663/1/5
type:
harness
Goggles for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Goggles for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus.

Glass goggles with rubber mounts for 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company, 1946-1951.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 270 mm
Object Number:
1951-663/1/6
type:
goggles
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
‘Oldham’ model miner’s lamp with belt mounted battery pack

‘Oldham’ model miner’s lamp with belt mounted battery pack

‘Oldham’ model miner’s lamp with belt mounted battery pack. Associated with 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Object Number:
1951-663/1/7
type:
miners' lamps
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Miner’s helmet fitted with mounting bracket for lamp.

Miner’s helmet fitted with mounting bracket for lamp.

Miner’s helmet fitted with mounting bracket for lamp. Associated with 'Proto' model self-contained breathing rescue apparatus by Siebe Gorman and Company.

More

'Proto' self-contained breathing apparatus was manufactured by Siebe Gorman c.1914-1972. It was used by rescue services tasked with responding to underground mining accidents across the UK. The apparatus consisted of a divided rubber breathing bag containing 'Protosorb', which absorbed the carbon dioxide released as the user breathed out, passing the air back through the oxygen supply, therefore making it possible to re-breathe. The apparatus also consists of a metal cooling unit (the absorbent ‘Protosorb’ heating up as it absorbed carbon dioxide), an oxygen cylinder, supply tubes, a nose clip and mouth piece. The whole apparatus was worn by the user on their front, secured with leather straps and a belt.

Object Number:
1951-663/1/8
type:
helmets