What are SCBA and PASS, and what are their primary safety purposes?

• A. SCBA provides breathable air in IDLH environments; PASS emits an audible alarm if motionless or in distress.
• B. SCBA is used for fire extinguishing; PASS is used to calculate air supply.
• C. SCBA is a helmet; PASS is a radio.
• D. SCBA is a flashlight; PASS is a siren.

Answer: (B)

Two safety tools address the essential needs when working in hazardous atmospheres: a reliable air source and a way to summon help if you’re in trouble. The Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus provides breathable air from a cylinder through a mask, allowing you to operate in IDLH environments where the air is unsafe to breathe because of smoke, gases, or other contaminants. The Personal Alert Safety System is worn on your gear and continuously monitors your movement; if you stop moving or signal distress, it emits an audible alarm to alert teammates and trigger a rapid rescue. Some models also offer manual activation for a distress signal. Together, they protect life by ensuring you have breathable air and by enabling quick rescue if you’re incapacitated.