Lots of interesting thoughts on this. On the issue of smoke, toxic fumes and a SCBA. With space/price being an issue there is an item called an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD), used on military aircraft that is the size of an old school lunch box (like the ones you used to carry that had Dukes of Hazard or Strawberry Shortcake on the side). They provide up to 15 minutes of O2 and are specificly designed to get you out of a smoke/toxic filled enviorment. If someone is interested in taking a look at the availability in the civilian world...