Effects of a Lightweight, Ergonomically Designed SCBA on Firefighter Mobility and Task Performance

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is essential for firefighter safety but contributes substantially to equipment weight and can restrict mobility and task performance. In order to improve operational performance in firefighting tasks, our research consortium developed a prototype SCBA incorporating weight reduction and ergonomic redesign. For field applicability assessment, this study aimed to quantify the impact of the prototype SCBA on firefighter mobility relative to a widely deployed conventional SCBA. Twelve firefighters conducted range of motion (ROM) tests and standardized scenario-based firefighting performance tests while wearing both SCBA configurations. Objective measures included ROM and completion time for scenario-based firefighting tasks. Subjective ratings of satisfaction for each SCBA were collected after each objective test using Likert-scale questionnaires. The results showed that use of the prototype SCBA increased overall ROM by approximately 5.6%. The average completion time for the scenario-based firefighting performance assessment decreased from 221.82 s with the conventional SCBA to 182.91 s with the prototype SCBA, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 17.5%. User satisfaction ratings consistently favored the prototype SCBA, particularly in perceived weight, fit, perceived pressure, and mobility. The consistency between objective results and user perceptions suggests that the lightweight and ergonomic improvements in SCBA can produce meaningful functional benefits during firefighting tasks. These findings provide evidence to guide the development of lighter and better-fitting SCBA.