Survivair Announces Pathfinder Availability

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PRESS RELEASE:

SURVIVAIR® ANNOUNCES PATHFINDER™ AVAILABILITY

-- New Technology to Change the way Rapid Intervention Teams Perform

Smithfield, RI (March 1, 2005) -- Officials at one of the industry's leading respiratory protection equipment manufacturers, Survivair Respirators, Inc. (Santa Ana, CA), announced today the availability of the Survivair Pathfinder firefighter locating system. The Survivair Pathfinder introduces a new technology into self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that may help reduce the time Rapid Intervention Teams need to locate a downed firefighter.

In early 2004, Survivair concluded an agreement with Summit Safety, Inc. (Devens, MA) to develop and market a firefighter locating system based on Summit's patented Pulse® (Personnel Ultrasonic Locating Safety Equipment) technology. Under the terms of theagreement, Survivair was granted exclusive rights to design, manufacture, distribute and sell Pulse-based systems to firefighters, emergency medical responders, police and related personnel throughout the world.

The Survivair Pathfinder system consists of two Beacons (omni-directional transmitters) and a Tracker (a narrowly focused receiver). The Survivair Pathfinder system, integrated into a Survivair Panther® SCBA, will assist rescuers in locating a downed firefighter regardless of the smoke concentration. Because the system utilizes ultrasonic signals that are reflected by walls, disabled firefighters can be located around corners or behind obstacles. Rescue personnel can be led directly to the individuals while avoiding blind alleys and dead ends, as can happen with Radio Frequency (RF) technology.

"We are excited to be at the forefront of incorporating this cutting edge technology into our respiratory protective equipment," said Steven H. Weinstein, Sr. SCBA Product Manager at Survivair. "The Survivair Pathfinder will assist fire departments to locate downed firefighters in smoke-filled environments, and it may help save lives. We feel this could change how Rapid Intervention Teams conduct searches, and we are pleased to be leading the way in offering such a revolutionary advancement.?

Survivair Respirators, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of world-class respiratory protection equipment, protecting firefighters and offering respiratory protection from airborne workplace hazards since 1961. For more than four decades, Survivair has manufactured air purifying respirators (APR), supplied air respirators (SAR), powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In 1997, Survivair was acquired by Bacou USA, Inc.

In 2001 Dalloz joined with Bacou to form the Bacou-Dalloz Group, the world leader in the design, manufacturing and sale of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The company employs about 6,700 people and operates 48 production facilities. Bacou-Dalloz provides unmatched head-to-toe protection through three strategic business segments: head protection (eye, hearing and respiratory), body protection (gloves, clothes and shoes) and fall protection. Bacou-Dalloz offers a full product range aimed at the manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, medical, public services and other sectors. Its products are available from its distributor partners worldwide.

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For additional product information, contact:
Survivair
3001 South Susan St.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Tel: 888-APR-SCBA or +1 714-545-0410
Fax: 714-850-0299
Website: www.survivair.com
Email: scba@survivair.com