Operate Breathing Apparatus Open Circuit Training

• Hazardous environments that require breathing protection
• Relevant Australian Standards and regulations explained
• The Human respiratory system
• Types of breathing apparatus
• Communication procedures
• Risk assessments and hierarchy of hazard control
• Breathing apparatus key components
• Conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus
• Don and doffing breathing apparatus
• Calculating working duration & emergency escape times
• Using breathing apparatus control tally boards
• Breathing apparatus safety & entrapment procedures
• After use cleaning, maintenance & testing procedures
• Search & rescue

On successful completion of this program, participants will be awarded the following Nationally Recognised Units of Competency:

• PUAFIR210 Prevent Injury
• PUAFIR207 Operate Breathing Apparatus – Open Circuit
• MSMWHS216 Operate breathing apparatus

FSA Entry Requirements:

• USI
• Fitness to participate
• Appropriate safety footwear, long pants, long sleeves
• Sufficient language, literacy and numeracy skills to complete the course
• Participants must be clean shaven, no facial hair that may affect facial seal as per AS/NZS 1715:2009. Click here for further information

Physical Requirements:

This course requires a very high level of physical fitness, stamina, and mobility, as all tasks are performed in full PPE/SCBA under simulated emergency conditions.

To successfully complete this course, you will need to be physically able to:

• Lift and carry a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) set and wear it correctly.
• Don, adjust, and test the SCBA face mask and harness.
• Walk, kneel, crawl, and stoop while wearing SCBA and full protective clothing.
• Operate in dark or smoke-filled environments and maintain team communication.
• Lift, drag, or carry casualty mannequins (20–30kg) during rescue scenarios.
• Respond to simulated entrapment alarms and perform search and rescue.
• Handle and replace SCBA cylinders (~10–15kg), clean, and reset the equipment after use.

Key overall physical demands

• Very high stamina and endurance – sustained activity in full SCBA and PPE
• Manual handling – mannequins (20–30kg), SCBA sets, cylinders (~10–15kg), hoses and equipment
• Upper body strength and grip – operating SCBA, lifting/managing gear, dragging casualties
• Mobility and agility – walking, stooping, kneeling, crawling in confined or low-visibility conditions
• Dexterity – adjusting face masks, harness, valves, tally tags, radios, cleaning gear
• Tolerance – working in hot, noisy, dark, and high-stress simulated irrespirable environments