What should you do if your regulator fails in the closed position?

If your regulator fails in the closed position, the most appropriate action is to purge the valve and exit the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environment with a partner. The regulator is a critical component of your self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that controls airflow; if it fails and you cannot receive air, you are at significant risk of suffocation or other dangerous conditions.

Purging the valve allows you to clear any blockages that may prevent airflow, and by exiting the IDLH environment quickly, you are prioritizing your safety above all else. Teamwork is vital in an emergency situation, so exiting with a partner ensures that you have assistance and support available if needed.

Attempting to fix the regulator on site could lead to dangerous delays and may expose you to further hazards in an IDLH environment. Continuing to operate without it significantly increases the risk of hypoxia or respiratory distress, putting your life in jeopardy. Calling for backup is a good measure in some situations, but it does not immediately address the life-threatening issue of receiving adequate air supply in a closed environment. Therefore, purging and exiting with a partner is the safest and most effective course of action.