News & Blog

15th June 2026, Melksham, UK: Avon Protection introduces a new short duration (SD) breathing apparatus option of their Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) for integration with a Combination Respirator Unit (CRU). CS-PAPR SD provides military special forces and tactical teams with the capability to switch between breathing protection levels dependent on threat levels for safer operation for the wearer. CS-PAPR SD has been designed as a smaller, compact lower-profile system for greater operational flexibility to enable users to remain uncompromised on target. The new CS-PAPR SD can be easily added to fielded air purifying respirators (APRs) and SCBA systems to leverage existing equipment configurations and maximise operational flexibility. 

Avon Protection’s patented PAPR technology allows users to seamlessly switch between Air Purifying Respirator (APR), PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator), and the option to transition to short-duration SCBA when operating in high-contaminant or oxygen-deficient environments. A single hose connection across all modes keeps one side of the mask clear, maintaining unobstructed weapon sighting and enhanced situational awareness. 

It is available in 2 to 3-litre CS-PAPR SD cylinders, which provide up to 20 minutes of breathing air for maintaining protection in hazardous scenarios.  

This short-duration system offers tactical users a low-profile, lightweight design; reducing bulk and wearer burden, enabling users to remain on target for longer, and operate more effectively in physically restricted environments, such as subterranean settings or confined spaces.  

Built around a modular methodology, CS-PAPR SD can be easily added to existing fielded systems, including the FM53/4 APR and ST53 SCBA configurations, allowing users to build on existing equipment investment.  

“The ability for users to change between protection levels dependent on the threat is of particular benefit to tactical users who may face unknown elements in fast-changing threat scenarios and who need that low burden protection,” said Steve Elwell, President of Avon Protection. “With this streamlined Short Duration option, these users can alternate between the baseline negative pressure filtered air protection offered by their APR, moving up through the PAPR, and into positive pressure SDBA, enabling maintained uncompromised protection from threats.”