VRU Plus Smoke Hood

VICTIM RESCUE UNIT PLUS (VRU+)

The VRU+ (Victim Rescue Unit Plus) is a lightweight, self-contained protective breathing device, or smoke hood, for use in emergency egress and escape situations.   The unit takes just seconds to don and provides 360° visibility while supplying aviation grade oxygen to the wearer for up to 60 minutes. The VRU+ smoke hood protects a user’s head and vision from fire and smoke.  The VRU+ also provides protection to a user’s respiratory system from toxic gases, nerve agents like Sarin and choking agents like Mustard gas.

System Application

The performance and versatility of the VRU+ has made it the protective smoke hood of choice for U.S. government agencies, military, law enforcement, homeland defense, first responders, high-rise building occupants and industrial companies both domestically and overseas.

First responders can also use the VRU+ as an oxygen supply on a conscious or an unconscious individual in a hazardous environment.  By placing the VRU+ on a victim, they can provide a lightweight, breathable air source to assist their escape.

The VRU+ dons quickly in 15 seconds or less.  Its one-size-fits-all design simply slips over the head.  There is no mouthpiece or nose clip to impede communication and the smoke hood allows for corrective or protective eyewear with no restrictions.

The VRU+ smoke hood features a self-contained oxygen supply that completely protects the user in an oxygen-deficient environment.  This differs from a filter mask that must clean poisonous outside air to make it fit to breathe.

At only 2 lbs., the VRU+ is the lightest and most comfortable smoke hood available.  The VRU+ will last up to 60 minutes for an average male, sitting, waiting for rescue.

The VRU+ smoke hood has a maintenance-free 10-1/2 year life span.

Click here to watch a VRU+ Smokehood Inspection and Donning video.

If you require a Specification Sheet for our equipment, please select “Request More Info” with the product name and part number.

SCU Smoke Hood

SELF-CONTAINED UNIT (SCU)

The Self-Contained Unit (SCU) is a lightweight, self-contained protective breathing device, or smoke hood.  The SCU smoke hood is designed to safeguard a passenger or crewmember from the effects of decompression, smoke, carbon dioxide, harmful gases or oxygen deficiency during an in-flight emergency on private or corporate aircraft.

The Self-Contained Unit, with its patented hood, takes less than 15 seconds to don and provides 360° visibility while supplying aviation grade oxygen.  This smoke hood protects a user’s head and vision from fire and smoke for up to 60 minutes.

Its one-size-fits-all design simply slips over the head.  There is no mouthpiece or nose clip to impede communication and the smoke hood allows for corrective or protective eyewear with no restrictions.  With the SCU smoke hood, the wearer is able to see, hear, talk and move freely.

Unlike a filter mask that must clean outside air to make it fit to breathe, the SCU smoke hood provides a self-contained oxygen supply.  A small felt-covered oxygen cylinder delivers breathable oxygen and is in place directly under the neck seal to assure comfort.

At only 2 lbs., the Self-Contained Unit is the lightest smoke hood available.  The SCU will last up to 60 minutes for an average male, sitting, waiting for rescue.

The SCU smoke hood comes in a flat, flame-retardant soft-side pouch that virtually eliminates the possibility of someone tripping on it, once discarded.  The SCU has a small footprint, with a thin profile (7.5” x 9.5” x 2”) that allows for small cache/storage units.

The SCU smoke hood has a maintenance-free 10-1/2 year life span.

For AOG assistance, please refer to our Distributor List.

If you require a Specification Sheet for our equipment, please select “Request More Info” with the product name and part number.

Protective Breathing Equipment

PROTECTIVE BREATHING EQUIPMENT (PBE)

The Essex PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) is a portable, self-contained, personal smoke hood designed to safeguard flight attendants and cabin crewmembers from the effects of smoke, carbon dioxide, harmful gases and oxygen deficiency while managing in-flight fire, smoke or fume emergencies.

The PBE uses compressed aviator grade oxygen as its source of supply to crewmembers.  The PBE smoke hood dons in only 15 seconds, with a unique design that eliminates the need for an oral/nasal mask.  The amber-tinted hood provides 270° of visibility and the elastic neck seal requires no adjustment.  The PBE provides 15 minutes of oxygen and one size fits most adults.

The Essex PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) is a proven design that has been in service worldwide in commercial aviation fleets since 1989.  This lightweight smoke hood is used by 90% of the commercial airline Industry in the United States, as well as many major international airlines.

 

System Design

The oxygen system in the Essex PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) consists of two oxygen cylinder assemblies mounted to the bottom side of the neck seal.  Special fabric and chemical panels inside the hood keep carbon dioxide concentrations at safe levels during the hood’s service period as the wearer exhales into the hood.

The Essex PBE features a battery-powered green and red light service/end-of-service Indicator.  Mounted slightly below eye level on the left inner side of the hood, this light functions as a secondary indicator for monitoring oxygen activation, reassuring the wearer that the equipment is functioning.

The PBE smoke hood is folded and vacuum-sealed in a moisture resistant barrier pouch equipped with a replace by date label and an internal humidity indicator.

Essex Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) requires very little stowage space and has the lightest stowage and end use weight.  Several different stowage options are available.

 

The Essex PBE has the following approvals:

  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Approved to: TSO-C116, Crewmember Protective Breathing Equipment and TSO-C99, Crewmember Protective Breathing Equipment
  • Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Approved (United Kingdom)
  • Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) Approved
  • Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) Approved
  • European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Approved to: ETSO-C116, Crewmember Protective Breathing Equipment and ETSO-C99, Crewmember Protective Breathing Equipment

 

For AOG assistance, please refer to our Distributor List.

 

To watch a 15 second donning demonstration, click here.

Click here to watch a PBE Training video.

If you require a Specification Sheet for our equipment, please select “Request More Info” with the product name and part number.

EPOS Smoke Hood

EMERGENCY PASSENGER OXYGEN SYSTEM (EPOS)

The EPOS (Emergency Passenger Oxygen System) is a lightweight, self-contained protective breathing device, or smoke hood, for use in emergency egress and escape situations.   The unit takes just seconds to don and provides 360° visibility while supplying aviation grade oxygen to the wearer for up to 60 minutes. The EPOS smoke hood is designed to protect a user’s respiratory system, head and vision from fire, toxic fumes and hazardous chemical spills.

In the early 1990s, the U.S. Air Force initiated a feasibility study to determine if a commercially available product would meet their requirements for passenger smoke and fume protection in military aircraft emergencies.  They selected the Essex Emergency Passenger Oxygen System smoke hood, which has become standard equipment aboard USAF passenger-carrying aircraft and as well as many other air forces around the world.

The U.S. Air Force utilizes the EPOS smoke hood for trained individuals in military aircraft emergencies such as decompression, fire, evacuation, rescue, smoke-filled cabins, toxic fumes or hazardous cargo spills.

The EPOS smoke hood utilizes compressed aviation grade oxygen and CO2 scrubbers to furnish up to 60 minutes of oxygen for someone at rest.  The patented hood provides 360° visibility and dons in less than 15 seconds.

The one-size-fits-all design of the Emergency Passenger Oxygen System simply slips over the head.  There is no mouthpiece or nose clip to impede communication and the smoke hood allows for corrective or protective eyewear with no restrictions.

At only 2 lbs., the Essex EPOS is the lightest and most comfortable smoke hood available.  The EPOS has a maintenance-free 10-1/2 year life span.

If you require a Specification Sheet for our equipment, please select “Request More Info” with the product name and part number.