Across Australian mining, emergency response teams operate in heat, humidity, distance, and uncertainty, often uphill and always under time pressure. In those moments, the breathing apparatus is not just personal protective equipment (PPE), it is the confidence to keep moving when conditions deteriorate.
As hazards evolve and budgets tighten, a practical question is reshaping conversations underground: “Which breathing technology best supports ERT performance, endurance, and safety in our conditions?”
Putting technology to the test
That question is driving more sites to conduct side-by-side trials of closed circuit rebreathers and open circuit twin cylinder SCBA in realistic rescue simulations.
These trials are not about declaring a universal winner. They are about understanding how different systems perform when it matters, while carrying stretchers, climbing gradients, and working hard in heat.
In one underground exercise, ERT members using the M1 Twin Cylinder SCBA reported:
- Cooler feeling inhaled air
- Supportive ergonomics
- Plenty of air remaining at the conclusion of the exercise
For ERT leaders, that last point matters. More air remaining often means more usable time on task during a real incident.
Heat, humidity, and human factors
In a separate trial conducted in temperatures above 32 °C with approximately 90% humidity, both technologies were pushed hard. Responders again noted the cooler sensation of inhaled air from the open circuit SCBA and highlighted the comfort benefits of the backplate and swivel waist belt during prolonged uphill work.
Debrief feedback reinforced an important reality: while closed circuit units are designed for long durations, extreme heat and physical effort significantly affect usable time. Some participants even remarked that the ambient environment felt hotter than the air delivered by the open circuit unit.
The real takeaway
Both closed and open circuit systems have valuable roles to play. What the trials consistently show is that usable duration, influenced by heat, workload, comfort, and breathing resistance, matters just as much as the figure printed on a datasheet. By testing equipment in real conditions and tracking air remaining alongside human factors, ERT leaders gain clarity on what best fits their team, terrain, and risk profile.
Why MSA Safety
With the modular M1 SCBA platform, a national network of trained channel partners, and experienced service agents, MSA helps mines design, run, and learn from meaningful trials, and then scale what works.
From on-site onboarding and hygiene workflows to professional maintenance and digital compliance tools, the company’s goal is simple: help teams go farther, safer, with confidence.
