Submarine Emergency Air Breathing apparatus

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

It is no secret that the interior of a submarine can become an unhealthy place for a human. Many toxic gases are produced during the operation of a sub. Numerous "scrubbers" and "air cleaning" systems are needed to keep the air breathable. Should any of the on-board equipment fail, or the air become un-breathable, it is essential that an Emergency Air Breathing (EAB) system be available to the crew to keep them alive. This thread discusses the equipment used in BW submarines to gain oxygen from the EAB system for crew members.
This particular model is called the "Not-Atemluft-System" (NAS-U).
The NAS-U was made by Daräger and is composed of;
1-Face mask;
2-breathing unit for attachment to the EAB;
3-2 storage bags - an inner and an outer.
Missing from the unit in my collection is the strap for the face mask, protective cap for the oxygen connector plug and the yellow protective cover for the mouth piece.

Here are some pictures of the instructions issued with the NAS-U.

[Gordon Craig]

Instructions for the correct use of the T 53 301 face mask.

[Gordon Craig]

The face mask.

[Gordon Craig]

The oxygen breathing apparatus.

[Gordon Craig]

The inner and outer storage bags.

[Gordon Craig]

A rough translation of the operating instructions and Technical data.

KURSGEBRAUCHSANWEISUNG

SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

NAS-U
NOT-ATEMLUFT-SYSTEM

DAS NOT-ATEMLUFT-SYSTEM FÜR DEN EINSATZBEREICH IN U-BOOTEN
BEI DEN UNTERSCHIEDLICHSTEN EINSATZERWARTUNGEN IST DER LUNGEN-AUTOMAT U BEIM NOTAUSSTIEG ERFORDERLICH. DER LUNGENAUTOMAT IST MIT DEN MUNDSTÜCKADAPTER VERBUNDEN.
DER VERSORGUNGSSCHLAUCH HAT EINEN STECKER MIT EINGEBAUTEM RÜCKSCHLAGVENTIL UND STAUBKAPPE. DIE EINFENSTER-TAUCHERMASKE HAT EINE EINGEARBEITETE NASENFORM FÜR DEN DRUCKAUSGLEICH WäHREND DES NOTAUSSTIEGS.
ALLE KOMPONENTEN SIND IN EINER SEE-WASSERBESTÄNDIGEN TRAGETASCHE IN SIGNALFARBE GELAGERT.

NAS-U

EMERGENCY AIR BREATHING SYSTEM

THE EMERGENCY BREATHING SYSTEM IS FOR USE IN SUBMARINES
WITH VARIOUS REASONS FOR USAGE, THE BREATHING MACHINE REQUIRES U AT THE EMERGENCY EXIT. THE REGULATOR IS CONNECTED TO THE NOSE ADAPTER.
THE OXYGEN SUPPLY HOSE HAS A PLUG WITH A BUILT-IN NON-RETURN VALVE AND DUST CAP. THE SINGLE WINDOW MASK HAS A BUILT-IN NOSE SHAPE FOR PRESSURE COMPENSATION DURING THE SEATING OF THE MASK..
ALL THE COMPONENTS ARE IN A (LAKE) WATER STORAGE BAG IN SIGNAL COLOUR.


TECHNISCHE DATEN
LUNGENAUTOMAT MIT MUNDSTÜCK UND SCHLAUCH MIT ANSCHLUSS UND STAUBKAPPE

EINFENSTER-TAUCHERMASKE

TRAGETASCHE MIT KLETTVERSCHLUSS IN SIGNALFARBE AUS SEEWASSERBESTÄNDIGEN MATERIAL

ABMESSUNGEN, CA.: LÄNGE 400 MM

HÖHE 359 MM

TIEFE 120 MM

GEWICHT, CA.: 3.0 KG

TECHNICAL DATA

REGULATOR MOUTHPIECE WITH HOSE CONNECTOR WITH DUST CAP

SINGLE WINDOW MASK

CARRYING CASE WITH VELCRO IN SIGNAL COLOUR MADE FROM SEA WATER RESISTANT MATERIAL

DIMENSIONS, CA: LENGTH 400 MM

HEIGHT 359 MM

DEPTH 120 MM

WEIGHT CA: 3.0 KG

[Gordon Craig]

A short section of a WIKI article on EAB systems in American submarines and some associated hazards faced when using this type of apparatus.

Regards,

Gordon

"A submarine environment, however clean air-wise, is still a toxic place to live and work. Most chemicals used to operate systems have their own carcinogens and vapors, e.g., diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid, and can lead to crew members developing lung problems over time. As an example, a polished brass plaque on board will only stay that way for about a week or two if left alone.

All boats carry chemicals used to absorb toxic gases as well, and if necessary, the crew can breathe clean air from the Emergency Air Breathing (EAB) system, essentially a system of air manifolds with plugins that attach to full face breathing masks. These are often used during casualties / drills in which the boat hasn't had the time to reach PD yet, but the air is toxic enough to warrant EAB mask use. The system isn't without its problems though - in the '80's, the USS Bonefish, stricken by a Battery Well fire, lost its OOD, Radioman, Helm and Planesman who had remained on-board after the crew had been ordered topside to await rescue. Though they were wearing their EAB masks, they were found to have taken in hydrogen cyanide gas released through the burning of Otto Fuel, used in MK 48 torpedoes. One of the darkest days in our Squadron."

[Asbjoern]

Gordon, reading this thread by chance I noticed your remark on missing pieces of your set ... I made a note that I have to go through a certain box in my cellar which may solve at least some of the problems...

@all: If someone is interested in such a divice I may have a complete set to part with which may be put to E-stand ...

Jens

[Gordon Craig]

Jens,

Thanks.

Regards,

Gordon