Ice Ice Hazard – in water colder than 4 degrees Celsius then we recommend (based on 2014 Dive Lab testing) Regulator freeze – HP cylinder pressure under 200 bar + low to moderate breathing rate (15-30 lpm flow) Free ice formation – awareness that may inhale ice into the trachea – bail! at least […]
Read MoreCore Characteristics SWBA® should have the following characteristics: Aluminum or composite wrap* cylinder approved for breathable air, that meets local or international standards Cylinder fitting with suitable burst disc that meets local or international standards A (water) volume range between 200 and 490 ml A minimum working pressure of 200 bar (maximum 300 bar) Visual […]
Read MoreIn New Zealand, in additional to usual occupational safety and health requirements, there are a number of regulatory requirements that govern self-contained breathing apparatus, diving and compressed gas cylinders. Air quality and filling Under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017: Only an Approved Filler may recharge the SWBA air cylinder (or […]
Read MorePublic Safety Agencies As the PSI Global Good Practice Guide (GPG) for Swiftwater Breathing Apparatus is adapted from the WorkSafe New Zealand Good Practice Guideline for Diving, it is available also under a Creative Commons Attributable, Non-Commercial 3.0 NZ license. Please review the GPG and return to the online course to continue. Recreational Users The […]
Read MoreAs the PSI Global Good Practice Guide (GPG) for Swiftwater Breathing Apparatus is adapted from the WorkSafe New Zealand Good Practice Guideline for Diving, it is available also under a Creative Commons Attributable, Non-Commercial 3.0 NZ license. Please review the GPG and return to the online course to continue.
Read MoreIn accordance with the best practice, recreational users of SWBA must hold both river rescue technician and supervised diver certifications. As such, the SWBA-REC certification bridges the small gap in knowledge and skills to ensure paddlers can safely use SWBA in a whitewater environment. Quick Reference Guide All the approved products for SWBA follow a […]
Read MoreIn accordance with the Good Practice Guide – Swiftwater Breathing Apparatus, operators of SWBA must hold both swiftwater rescue technician and supervised diver certifications. As such, the SWBA certification bridges the small gap in knowledge and skills to ensure operators can safely use SWBA in a swiftwater environment. Quick Reference Guide All the approved products […]
Read MoreFor the purposes of receiving SWBA certification by PSI Global, students must: Complete this online course and examination (minimum of 70% pass) Upload a valid and current swiftwater rescue technician certification from PSI recognized body (i.e. PUASAR, IPSQA, DEFRA, NFPA) Upload a valid and current diving certification (ISO 24801-1 “Supervised Diver” or higher, or PSI […]
Read MoreBackground Sadly, most paddlers will know of someone who has drowned while recreating on rivers. Often it can be a matter of just seconds too late to be successfully rescued or resuscitated. SWBA® is about giving paddlers a window of additional time to self-rescue or be rescued in life threatening situations. In 2023, Dr Steve […]
Read MoreBackground In 2023, Dr Steve Glassey started to investigate the use of Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) traditionally used for aviation and marine emergency egress, for swiftwater rescue. Inspired by off-shore yachting, where small bottles of compressed air were fitted into lifejackets to help sailors escape from underneath a sinking vessel or submerged sail, Steve wanted […]
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