FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lawrenceville, GA/EWORLDWIRE/July 25, 2002 --- Four in ten law enforcement agencies in the United States report that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and subsequent concerns about bioterrorism have heightened their interest in equipping officers with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) for respiratory protection.

This growing interest in SCBAs was one finding of a nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies conducted in December by the research firm Wirthlin Worldwide on behalf of International Safety Instruments Inc. (ISI). ISI manufactures the ISI Viking ST, a technologically advanced SCBA designed for the special needs of law enforcement agencies

The survey found that SCBAs are increasingly used in law enforcement by SWAT teams, narcotics units, bomb squads and other special teams. Asked about the circumstances where SCBAs are most frequently needed, agencies cited drug enforcement situations (especially methamphetomine labs) and dealing with hazardous materials.

ISI commissioned the study in as part of its ongoing commitment to designing SCBA products with the features most needed in law enforcement. "We are the industry authority on the SCBA needs of law enforcement," said Mark Williamson, Marketing Manager/Law Enforcement, for International Safety Instruments. "The ISI Viking ST was built with a thorough understanding of how law enforcement officers operate and why they must maintain maximum flexibility and speed in the most demanding situations."

The ISI Viking ST, recently introduced to the market, combines the latest digital technology with a variety of easy-to-use, time-saving features. It also has a lower profile mask, lighter-weight backframe and less harness clutter than other devices on the market.

The ISI Viking ST's most innovative feature is its digital In-Mask Light Display (IMLD), a patented design that enables the wearer to monitor cylinder pressure, end-of-service alarm, radio status, battery status and PASS pre-alarm. A silent, five-light display - two green, one red and two yellow - provides a continuous readout of vital information that only the wearer can see.

The Viking ST relays information to the in-mask readout from a state-of-the-art control console that displays pressure rating, hours of use and program information for maintenance personnel. The console also houses a voice amplification system and radio interface that works with the officer's normal radio.

According to Williamson, "This compact design does away with cumbersome external wires and accessories that impair an officer's mobility. We have also added an innovative AirSwitch® Regulator, allowing the wearer to switch instantly between cylinder air and ambient air even while wearing gloves."

The new SCBA is carried on a lightweight, ergonomically designed backframe. The first-stage regulator is protected inside the backframe and has only two moving parts. A single-piece mask/regulator design eliminates the need for separate facemask/regulator maintenance and is completely submersible for easier cleaning and sanitizing.

ISI is a manufacturer of quality respiratory protection equipment and thermal imaging systems for law enforcement, firefighting and industrial users. ISI provides product training for law enforcement officers and others, and offers service and repair for all of its products. More information on ISI and its products is available at www.intsafety.com.

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CONTACT:
Mark Williamson
Marketing Manager/Law Enforcement
International Safety Instruments, Inc. (ISI)

PHONE: 770.962.2552
URL: http://www.intsafety.com

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Photo: Photo media available: Viking ST (size: 100.0 kb)
ISI's Viking ST, the SCBA Designed for Law Enforcement
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