R2D ReBreather User Instructions

ATTENTION: Leaks may occur at various assembly points in the ReBreather as a result of rough handling during shipment. You MUST inspect the device

with care prior to use to ensure that all connections are secure.

1. Do NOT open the sealed bag that contains the R2D ReBreather more than 3 – 5 days prior to its intended use. The bag provides a gas barrier that ensures a long shelf-life for the CO2-absorbing granules that are critical to the proper function of the ReBreather. BUT IF YOU DO OPEN THE BARRIER BAG: After familiarizing yourself with the ReBreather (e.g., trying the masks, mask straps, the chinstrap, etc.), you can preserve the shelf life of the CO2 absorption granules by resealing the barrier bag with a hot clothes iron (cotton setting/no steam).

2. When the appropriate time has come to open the sealed bag, do so and remove the zippered case inside.

3. On the exterior of the zippered case is a padded neck strap and a waist strap. Both straps are adjustable. These straps will be used to properly and securely attach the zippered case and its contents to your torso immediately prior to use of the ReBreather. Whether you select a semi-reclining position or a fully-reclined position, the straps will keep the ReBreather from shifting position during use, which prevents any tugging on the face mask that might dislodge it or permit the airtight seal of the mask to be compromised.

4. Unzip the lid flap of the case to the extent required in order to easily

remove the following items: face masks of differing sizes, the chinstrap, and the syringe (for adjusting the volume of air in the mask’s cushioned seal). You will see attached to the Large Size facemask a flat flexible fitting with four adjustable straps. These straps will be used to securely attach the facemask to the chinstrap. (That flat flexible fitting can easily be moved to a smaller mask if necessary, but be sure to maintain the same orientation of the hook fasteners on the ends of the straps.)

5. After removing the items in 4, above, uncoil and extend the white PVC

fitting to which 3 corrugated breathing tubes are attached. Two of the corrugated tubes will direct exhaled air from the mask into the canister to which those tubes are connected. The canister contains soda lime

granules specially designed to absorb the CO2 gas produced during normal breathing. The third tube directs air back into the facemask for

use during inhalation. That air will have passed through both canisters in order to ensure that the CO2 levels remain sufficiently low during inhalation.

6. There is a cap or seal on the center port of the breathing tube fitting that

must be removed just prior to use of the ReBreather. That port, once clear of the seal, will be inserted into the corresponding port of the facemask, as explained below. To insure an airtight seal of the facemask during use of the ReBreather, do not attach the face mask to the PVC fitting until directed to do so in #12, below.

7. From among the included face masks, select the mask that most closely

fits comfortably over your nose and mouth. Use the included syringe to adjust the air-filled cushioned seal of the mask so that the degree of inflation assists in making a comfortable airtight seal. You should test the fit and seal by holding the mask against your face with one hand while using your other hand to cover the open port of the mask. Then, by gently breathing in or expelling air out you will see immediately whether the cushioned portion of the mask is making an airtight seal. If air is leaking into or out of the mask during this test, you must make adjustments to (a) the position of the mask on your face, (b) the inflation of the cushioned seal of the mask, and/or (c) the size of the facemask you have selected. Once the correct size mask with the appropriately inflated cushion seal has been successfully tested for comfort and an airtight seal, set the mask aside and proceed with fitting the chinstrap to your head.

8. The chinstrap is a critical component and care must be taken to obtain a proper fit. Note that the chinstrap is provided with the hook fastener on one end already engaged/attached to the loop surface of the strap. This is a preset size that may or may not provide a proper fit—it is intended to facilitate a quick determination of whether the strap as configured is too small, too large or perhaps (by luck) just right. You will also notice that a separate band of fabric is positioned on the strap so that the rough texture of the strap will not irritate the skin under your chin when the strap is in use. You will have to slide the fabric sleeve out of the way to adjust the size and fit of the strap by trial and error.

9. The chinstrap is designed to keep your mouth from opening as you drift into unconsciousness. Without a properly tensioned chinstrap, your slackened jaw could allow your mouth to open sufficiently to break the airtight seal of the facemask. It is essential that you test the fit of the chinstrap by relaxing the muscles of your face and jaw as much as possible. A proper fit is one in which complete relaxation does not allow your lower jaw to drop far enough for your lips to separate. (Or if the lips do separate, the gap between them would be too small for your tongue to slide between them.)

10. In order to keep the chinstrap from sliding off the crown of your head,

there is a slit in that portion of the strap. You will separate the two thin strips of material so that the portion closest to the rear of your head can be stretched and pulled rearward (towards the back of your neck), as shown in the photos below). The objective is to allow your head to push through the gap in the strap so that the strap as a whole remains in place even if you move your head.

11. Once the chinstrap has been adjusted properly, proceed to attach the facemask using the four elastic straps with hook fasteners on the ends. Each strap will attach to the surface of the chinstrap, and to obtain an airtight seal, you may have to adjust the lengths of the four straps.

12. Once you have successfully established and re-tested the airtight seal of

the facemask (using the loop surface of the chinstrap to attach the four facemask straps) you will be ready to proceed to final step of connecting the ReBreather for immediate use. The final step includes the following:

A. Attach the waist and neck straps of the zippered case making any

adjustments to the lengths of the straps to ensure that the case rests firmly against your torso and so that the PVC fitting (with the corrugated breathing tubes) can be easily joined to the open port of the face mask.

B. Unseal the open port of the PVC fitting. With one hand holding the facemask (to ensure that its position against your face remains undisturbed), use your other hand to insert (with a twisting motion) the unsealed PVC fitting into the open port of the facemask. When the two parts are joined properly there should be no looseness in the connection and the three corrugated tubes should hang easily without being twisted.

C. Take a breath or two to verify the free flow of air in and out of the device. If all seems good, then position yourself in either a fully- or semi-reclined position with your arms by your side. The zippered case should rest comfortably along the midline of your abdomen and chest. Take one last opportunity to ensure that the chinstrap is secure and that the face mask remains comfortable and that there are no apparent leaks. Do not proceed if you find anything out of position or if the seal of the facemask is not airtight.

D. Assuming that all aspects of the attachment of the ReBreather are positive, you are now engaged in the process of ending your life as the oxygen in the air you breath becomes exhausted. Simply breathe naturally and in a matter of minutes (3-5) you will fall into unconsciousness. Death will follow in another 10 to fifteen minutes.

IF FOR ANY REASON UNCONSCIOUSNESS DOES NOT OCCUR WITHIN 10 MINUTES, YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT OUTSIDE AIR IS ENTERING THROUGH A LEAK IN EITHER THE FACE MASK SEAL OR THROUGH A LOOSE REBREATHER CONNECTION. CHECK CAREFULLY FOR LEAKS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE DEVICE AGAIN, AND MAKE SURE THE MASK HAS AN AIRTIGHT SEAL BEFORE CONNECTING THE MASK TO THE BREATHING TUBE ASSEMBLY.