Patent ID: 7712151

Claim:
An enclosure capable of protecting at least one individual from a contaminated environment, comprising: a flexible gas and water impermeable membrane that defines an internal space enclosing at least a portion of the at least one individual, the impermeable membrane comprising a first impermeable membrane that encompasses a head, arms and an upper torso of the at least one individual, and a second impermeable membrane sealed to the first impermeable membrane portion that encompasses a lower torso of the at least one individual; a pump, located entirely within the first impermeable membrane of the internal space, that draws a stream of external air into the internal space; an inlet port associated with the first impermeable membrane and in communication with the pump for directing external air to the pump; and a filter, located entirely within the first impermeable membrane of the internal space and in communication with the pump and the inlet port, that filters the stream of external air prior to the stream of external air being released into the internal space; wherein: the pump is located within the internal space so as to be operable by the at least one individual within the internal space to inflate the internal space to establish a pressure in the first impermeable membrane and in the second impermeable membrane, based on the external air drawn into the internal space, that is greater than the surrounding atmosphere.