What type of respiratory equipment is typically used in scenarios involving harmful gas leaks?

Supplied Air Respirators (SAR) are specifically designed for scenarios involving harmful gas leaks or environments where there is a lack of breathable air. These types of respirators provide clean air from an external source, ensuring that the wearer receives an adequate supply of oxygen while filtering out toxic substances and hazardous gases.

In situations where there are harmful gas leaks, the concentration of these gases may be too high for other types of respiratory protection to be effective. Unlike basic masks that may filter particulates or provide minimal protection, SARs offer a higher level of respiratory safety by delivering a continuous flow of clean air, which is crucial in environments that can compromise respiratory health.

Other options, while providing certain levels of protection, do not cater to the severe conditions presented by harmful gases. For instance, FFP3 masks provide a high level of filtration for solid and liquid aerosols, surgical masks are primarily designed to protect against large droplets but do not seal tightly around the face or filter out gases, and disposable dust masks are generally not suitable for environments containing hazardous chemical vapors or gases. Hence, in hazardous situations involving gas leaks, SARs are the most effective and safest choice.