Definition

Noun: A device designed to assist or facilitate breathing, particularly when a person's natural respiratory function is insufficient or has failed. It provides respiratory support by delivering oxygen or air to the lungs.

Usage

The term "breathing apparatus" is used to describe equipment that supplies breathable air or oxygen. It is most commonly employed in medical emergencies, firefighting, underwater diving, and hazardous environments.

Examples

• The firefighters wore a breathing apparatus to enter the smoke-filled building safely.
• In the intensive care unit, the patient was connected to a breathing apparatus.
• Scuba divers rely on a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA).

Advanced Usage

• Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA): A specific, portable type of breathing apparatus used for diving.
• Closed-Circuit Breathing Apparatus: A system that recycles exhaled gas after removing carbon dioxide, used in environments where oxygen supply is limited.

Variants and Related Words

• Respirator: A device worn over the mouth and nose to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances or to provide medical ventilation.
• Ventilator: A machine designed to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, providing mechanical breathing for patients who cannot breathe on their own.
• Oxygen Mask: A mask that delivers oxygen from a storage tank to the lungs.

Synonyms

• Respiratory device
• Life-support system (in a medical context)
• Ventilation device

Related Phrases

• On oxygen: A phrase describing a person who is using a breathing apparatus to receive supplemental oxygen.
• Wearing an air pack: A colloquial phrase, often in firefighting contexts, referring to using a breathing apparatus.

Noun

1. a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure