Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device

Until recently, exposure of the aviator to hypoxic conditions was not possible without the dangers of hypobaric conditions. The reduced oxygen-breathing device (ROBD) has revolutionized the way aerospace medicine clinicians and researchers may evaluate aviators under hypoxic conditions while performing simulated flight activities. The ROBD works by delivering a varied percentage of oxygen and nitrogen under normobaric conditions to the trainee through a standard Navy oxygen mask. The advantages of the ROBD are numerous. Because the ROBD remains at sea level atmospheric pressure there is no risk of altitude DCS or barotraumas. Weighing approximately 40 lbs and measuring 20’’x 32’’x 12’’ inches, the ROBD is extremely portable compared to a hypobaric chamber. Additionally, the manning and maintenance requirements are much lower for the ROBD, involving a maximum of two instructors to operate compared to as many as nine for the hypobaric chamber.