Semmco Life Protection Systems (LPS) specialises in the design and manufacture of short duration escape and working rescue chemical oxygen breathing apparatus to protect those working in atmospheres that could become irrespirable. In such critical situations, escape and working rescue breathing devices must be easy to don, simple to use and totally reliable.
Semmco LPS began developing its HEAD range in the late 1990s, launching HEAD10 in 2001. Stuart McOnie, founder of the company and the product’s designer, used his year’s of experience working with Sabre Safety (now part of 3M Scott Safety) and Draegar Safety and developed the concept of a lightweight, head worn, short duration escape breathing apparatus using potassium superoxide (KO2). This concept enabled him to create an escape breathing apparatus that would ensure an easier and more comfortable user experience as well as producing a product that had minimal through life costs. This concept was and remains a distinct advantage to conventional compressed air escape breathing apparatus that is cumbersome and restricting to wear and has ongoing maintenance costs.
An enquiry from the Irish Prison Service for an alternative to the compressed air breathing apparatus they were using, led to the development of the HEAD RPE/CSRE Working Rescue Set. This product, now in use in all Irish and English prisons since 2009, provides the protection needed but is easier and simpler to wear therefore helping the prison officers carry out their procedures more easily. Additionally it has provided substantial cost savings.
To extend the Semmco LPS product offering, the company developed and launched the Semmco EEBD (Emergency Escape Breathing Device) for Marine (15 minute duration) and Industrial (20 minute duration) applications at the beginning of 2022. It provides an alternative to the HEAD range and is a simpler, one off use, emergency escape device again using KO2 as its breathing source, with minimal through life costs.
Please visit our Products page to see the full range of our escape and working rescue breathing apparatus and find the one most suitable for your working environment.