A hybrid self-contained breathing apparatus having an oxygen augmentation system for delivering oxygen to a stream of monitored ambient air. The carriage is mounted to a plurality of support columns movably attached to the base. The base oils resulting from the process of this invention are environmentally friendly in that they are only mildly toxic to marine life and have very low pour point temperatures. The binder of the present invention may include polyvinylalcohol andor the co-polymer of polyvinylalcoholpolyvinylamine nitrate. In an embodiment, the measuring receptacle is cylindrical and threaded.