Self-Contained Isolated Breathing Apparatus

A human working in vacuum in a space suit labors under a great handicap. A spacesuit tends to stiffen into one favored shape and require effort to maintain arms and legs in some other position. Instead of going out into the lunar vacuum to maintain a piece of machinery, it can be brought inside where an inert atmosphere will not cause rust or corrosion to susceptible metals. A person can then do maintenance work wearing a Self-Contained Isolated Breathing Apparatus (SCIBA) instead of a space suit. This will improve capability and efficiency.

A SCIBA is a gas tight suit that keeps moist oxygenated air from mixing with the gas in a chamber filled with inert gas, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide as might be necessary for an industrial process. It has a supply of oxygen and a scrubber to remove carbon dioxide. The nitrogen or other inert gas is recycled. Sensors monitor the breathing gas mixture and vital signs so a worker can be warned of any failure of the life support. Telemetry from the sensors also alerts others in a position to rescue the worker in case of accidental failure.