Emergency Escape Breathing Device

An emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) on a ship is a life saving appliance that is used when a crew member needs to quickly escape from an area in which hazardous or contaminated conditions - for example, poisonous gasses, fire and/or smoke - are present. The emergency escape breathing device consists of a self-contained compressed air cylinder which provides 15 minutes of time via its 600 liters of air.

Accommodation areas on all vessels are meant to carry a minimum of two EEBD, while the quantity in areas such as engine and machinery rooms depends on the number of people who typically work there, as well as the layout of the space.