Respirator with cooling device

An improved portable respirator adapted to be worn on the back of a user of the type having a housing, and cartridge means for containing a chemical mounted in the housing which fixes carbon dioxide or evolves oxygen or both, and an air bag mounted in the housing, comprising, in combination, a support frame integrally connected to the housing, said support frame having wall means defining a compartment adapted to be charged with a coolant, said wall means including an elastic wall portion adapted to bear against the back of the user and a contact wall of heat conducting material spaced from said wall portion, said contact wall being disposed to tightly bear against the air bag responsive to the bearing of said elastic wall portion on the user's back, means for introducing the coolant into said compartment, an insulating layer, said insulating layer being disposed in contact with said wall means except for said contact wall, and said housing having an air inlet and breathing passage means extending from said air inlet into and out of said bag and around the exterior portion of said bag not bearing against said contact wall and around the exterior of said cartridge to a person for respiration.