Course Overview
The Breathing Apparatus Emergency Response (BAER) course gives learners the practical skills to identify and control workplace hazards and risks, and to safely operate open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during emergency response activities. It covers how to identify hazards, advise others, implement and monitor risk controls, conduct pre-use checks, don and operate breathing apparatus, and conclude operations in accordance with workplace procedures.
Operating breathing apparatus is a specialist safety capability required across high-risk industries, where workers may need to enter or work in environments containing toxic gases, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, smoke or other airborne hazards as part of an emergency response. The 2-day Breathing Apparatus Emergency Response course delivered at ERGT Australia provides learners with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience required to prevent injury and safely operate open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during workplace emergency response activities. Designed for both new and experienced workers in Mining, Resources, and other high-risk industries undertaking their initial breathing apparatus and injury prevention training, this course focuses on hazard and risk control, respiratory protection standards, pre-use inspection and donning of BA sets, air management and duration planning, and operating SCBA in simulated incident scenarios in accordance with workplace procedures and legislative requirements.
Through a combination of facilitator-led learning and practical activities in a simulated work environment, learners will build the confidence and capability to identify and control workplace hazards, safely don, operate and conclude the use of breathing apparatus, manage air supply effectively during incident response, and complete post-use checks and maintenance in line with industry best practice. Upon successful completion, learners will be job-ready to prevent injury and operate breathing apparatus during workplace incidents and emergency response activities.
Key details
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Identify workplace hazards and risks, and advise others
- Implement hazard and risk control procedures
- Monitor effectiveness of hazard and risk control procedures
- Conduct pre-donning checks and tests on breathing apparatus
- Don and check breathing apparatus
- Operate breathing apparatus
- Conclude operations
Prior Skills & Knowledge
What to expect
Learner Support:
- Learner wellbeing for this course is supported through measures that recognise the physical, cognitive, and psychological demands of operating breathing apparatus during emergency response training in a simulated high-risk environment. As the course involves wearing a full-face mask, breathing through a regulated air supply, and operating in confined or smoke-affected environments across a 2-day program, ERGT implements support strategies that prioritise learner safety, confidence and readiness. This ensures learners can safely participate in all practical components without compromising their wellbeing or safety.
Physical Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers continuously monitor learners for signs of fatigue, heat stress, dehydration or restricted movement while wearing breathing apparatus and PPE.
- Breathing apparatus fit, seal and comfort are checked before and throughout practical sessions, with trainer support for adjustment where required.
- Learners are encouraged to disclose any physical concerns (e.g. fatigue, minor injury or discomfort when wearing breathing apparatus) so adjustments can be made to participation across both training days.
Psychological & Emotional Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers provide clear pre-activity briefings to prepare learners for breathing apparatus wear and operation, including what to expect when wearing a full-face mask and breathing through a regulated air supply.
- Learners experiencing discomfort or anxiety when wearing breathing apparatus or operating in confined or smoke-affected environments are supported through gradual exposure, additional guidance or alternative sequencing of activities where appropriate.
- Post-activity debriefs are conducted to reinforce learning, address concerns and build confidence in safely operating breathing apparatus during emergency response.
Cognitive Support for Safety-Critical Tasks:
- Structured delivery of hazard identification, risk control principles, respiratory protection standards, breathing apparatus components and air management principles prior to practical application.
- Step-by-step demonstrations of breathing apparatus operation, including pre-use checks, donning and fitting, regulator connection, air management and post-use procedures.
- Use of visual aids, demonstrations and real equipment to reinforce understanding of safe breathing apparatus operation during emergency response.
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