Out of This World

Video by Staff Sgt. Kelly OConnor

Integrated Respirator Information System (IRIS)

100th Air Refueling Wing

Nov. 1, 2018 | 3:06

The 100th Maintenance Squadron based out of RAF Mildenhall in England designed the Integrated Respirator Information System (IRIS), a respirator with audio visual capabilities to enhance communication for maintainers working in isolated, confined and dangerous environments. Morse code, tapping through barriers, hand signals, tugging on ropes and other rudimentary methods are the current means to communicate while in these hazardous areas.

Listen to Master Sgt. William Bell and Ms. Mia Tobitt talk about the immediate benefits of saved man-hours and increased efficiency by reducing the number of times personnel enter and exit the tank. This capability leads to synergized troubleshooting, since immediate audible and visual communication would exist between the maintainer in the tank and their support outside, whether that be peers or engineering experts back in the States. Most importantly, the direct monitoring of personnel and confined space conditions drastically reduces risk and increases safety.