
                                                                 Exhibit 99(a)

Survivair, Inc.
(A wholly-owned subsidiary of
Comasec Holdings, Inc.)
Financial Statements
December 31, 1996 and 1995




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance Sheet

                                                                                        December 31,
<S>                                                                            <C>                      <C> 
                                                        Notes                  1996                     1995
Assets

Current Assets:                                                           $   765,066               $   409,619
   Cash and cash equivalents
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $69,000 and $35,000                                 2,911,913                 3,046,905
   Inventories                                          1 & 2               3,418,036                 4,274,916
   Deferred income taxes                                1 & 5                 644,984                   874,608
   Prepaid expenses and other receivables                                     264,447                   402,209
                                                                              -------                   -------

     Total current assets                                                   8,004,446                 9,008,257

Property, plant and equipment, net                      1 & 3               2,575,120                 2,009,212
Intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization of $295,060 and $265,550                     1                    44,738                    74,248
Amounts due from Parent                                   7                 2,367,493                 1,054,401
Amounts due from affiliates                               7                     6,577                        -0-
                                                                     ----------------        -------------------

                                                                         $ 12,998,374              $ 12,146,118
                                                                         ============              ============

Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity

Current Liabilities:
   Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses                                       9                $2,248,388                $2,363,685

Noncurrent liabilities:
   Deferred income taxes                                1 & 5                  48,477                    35,257
   Amounts due to Parent/affiliates                       7                   119,221                     9,385
   Long-term debt                                         4                        -0-                  800,000
                                                                       ---------------                  -------

                                                                            2,416,086                 3,208,327
                                                                            ---------                 ---------
                                                                            

Commitments and Contingencies                         1,6,7 & 8

Shareholders equity:
   Common stock, no par value; 20,000
   shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued
   and outstanding                                                          1,814,280                 1,814,280
   Retained earnings                                                        8,768,008                 7,123,511
                                                                            ---------                 ---------

     Total shareholder's equity                                            10,582,288                 8,937,791
                                                                           ----------                 ---------

                                                                       $   12,998,374            $   12,146,118
                                                                       ==============            ==============



                                  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statement of Income


                                                                                   For the year ended
                                                                                      December 31,
<S>                                                                          <C>                      <C> 
                                                        Notes                1996                     1995

Net sales                                                                 $ 30,339,247             $ 31,694,564
Cost of products sold                                                       19,834,784               19,852,364
                                                                            ----------               ----------

         Gross profit                                                       10,504,463               11,842,200

Other expenses:
     General and administrative expenses                                     2,927,084                3,089,937
     Selling expenses                                                        4,457,632                4,589,471
     Other expenses                                     6 & 7                  313,592                  187,038
     Interest expense, net                                                      21,310                   46,078
                                                                          ------------             ------------

Income before provision for income taxes                                     2,784,845                3,929,676

Provision for income taxes                              1 & 5                1,140,348                1,596,803
                                                                             ---------                ---------

Net income                                                                 $ 1,644,497               $2,332,873
                                                                           ===========               ==========





                                  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statement of Shareholder's Equity


                                                                                                  Total
                                                 Common stock                   Retained       Shareholder's
                                          Shares            Amount               Earnings         Equity

<S>                                      <C>          <C>                  <C>                 <C>       
Balance at December 31, 1994               1,000        $ 1,814,280          $ 4,790,638         $6,604,918

Net income                               -------          ---------            2,332,873         2,332,873
                                                                               ---------         ---------

Balance at December 31, 1995               1,000          1,814,280            7,123,511         8,937,791
                                         -------          ---------            ---------         ---------

Net income                                ------          ---------            1,644,497         1,644,497
                                                                               ---------         ---------

Balance at December 31, 1996               1,000        $ 1,814,280          $ 8,768,008      $ 10,582,288
                                           =====        ===========          ===========      ============





                                  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statement of Cash Flows

                                                                                  For the year ended
                                                                                      December 31,
<S>                                                                             <C>                   <C> 
                                                                                1996                  1995

Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                               $1,644,497          $ 2,332,873
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation                                       824,033                                     669,619
       Amortization                                        29,510                                      29,510
       Allowance for doubtful accounts                     34,000                                    (115,000)
       Loss on disposal of assets                           2,853                                          -0-
       Deferred income taxes                              242,844                                     177,948
                                                          -------                                     -------
                                                                               1,133,240              762,077

                                                                               2,777,737            3,094,950
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable                                100,992                                    (148,810)
       Inventories                                        856,880                                     321,630
       Prepaid expenses and other receivables             137,762                                    (277,247)
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses             (115,297)                                   (597,886)
                                                         ---------                                   ---------
                                                                                 980,337             (702,313)
                                                                                 -------             ---------

         Net cash provided by operating activities                             3,758,074            2,392,637
                                                                               ---------            ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
         Net cash used in investing activities -
         capital expenditures                                                 (1,392,794)            (978,226)
                                                                              -----------            ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Amounts due from affiliates                           (6,577)                                    113,726
     Amounts due from Parent                           (1,313,092)                                 (1,054,401)
     Net borrowings (repayments) on long-term debt       (800,000)                                    800,000
     Amounts due to Parent/affiliates                     109,836                                  (2,164,856)
                                                          -------                                  -----------

         Net cash used in financing activities                                (2,009,833)          (2,305,531)
                                                                              -----------          -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                             355,447             (891,120)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                   409,619            1,300,739
                                                                                 -------            ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                       $ 765,066            $ 409,619
                                                                               =========            =========





                                  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


Notes to the Financial Statements

1.        Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies

          Description   of  business 
          Survivair,  Inc. (the  Company) is a  manufacturer  of self  contained
          breathing apparatus, air purifying respirators, replacement cartridges
          and gas detection  equipment,  with customers  primarily in the United
          States of America. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comasec
          Holdings,  Inc. (the Parent). The Parent is a wholly-owned  subsidiary
          of Comasec International, S.A.

          Summary of significant accounting policies

          Use of  estimates  in the  preparation  of  financial  statements
          The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity with generally
          accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
          and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and
          liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
          date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of revenues
          and expenses during the reporting period.

          Cash and cash equivalents
          For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all
          highly liquid instruments  purchased with an original maturity of less
          than three months to be cash equivalents.

          Inventories
          Inventories  are  recorded at the lower of cost or market,  cost being
          determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.

          Depreciation
          Depreciation  of  property,  plant and  equipment is  calculated  on a
          straight-line  basis over the  estimated  useful  lives of the assets,
          typically   ranging  from  three  to  nine  years.   Expenditures  for
          maintenance,  repairs  and minor  renewals  are  charged  directly  to
          expense as incurred. When property and equipment are sold or otherwise
          disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed
          from the  accounts and the  resulting  gains or losses are reported in
          the results of operations.

          Intangible  assets
          Intangible  assets  include  the cost in excess  of the fair  value of
          assets  purchased  and patents.  Intangible  assets are amortized on a
          straight-line  basis over their estimated  useful lives,  ranging from
          eleven to twenty years.

          Research and development costs
          Cost of products  sold  includes  research  and  development  costs of
          $1,540,261 in 1996 and $1,541,394 in 1995.

          Fair value of  financial  instruments
          The Company values  financial  instruments as required by Statement of
          Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Values
          of Financial Instruments" (SFAS 107). The carrying amounts of cash and
          cash equivalents,  accounts and other  receivables,  accounts payable,
          accrued expenses and debt approximate fair value. For certain balances
          due to or from  related  parties a  reasonable  estimate of fair value
          could not be made without incurring excessive costs. Accordingly,  all
          balances due to or from related  parties are carried at their original
          cost.

          Income taxes
          The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provision
          of  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 109 (SFAS 109).
          Under the  liability  method  specified  by SFAS 109, the deferred tax
          assets and  liabilities are measured each year based on the difference
          between  the   financial   statement  and  tax  bases  of  assets  and
          liabilities  at the  applicable  enacted tax rates.  The  deferred tax
          provision  is the  result of changes  in the  deferred  tax assets and
          liabilities.

          The Company is included in the  consolidated  group  filing of Federal
          income taxes of the Parent.  Current and deferred  income taxes of the
          Company  have  been  allocated  as if  the  Company  were  a  separate
          taxpayer.

          The  Parent's  consolidated  Federal  income tax returns for the years
          ended December 31, 1991 through 1995 are under examination by the IRS.
          Management  does not  believe  that the  ultimate  resolution  of such
          examination  will have a  material  adverse  impact  on the  Company's
          financial condition or results of operations.

          Statement  of  Cash  Flows

          Supplemental  disclosures of cash flow  information: 
               Cash paid during the year for interest        $23,811     $54,774

          Reclassifications
          Certain prior year amounts have been  reclassified to conform with the
          December 31, 1996 presentation.

2.        Inventories

          Inventories  comprised  the  following  at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
          respectively:

                                     1996                       1995

          Raw materials         $ 2,260,245                $ 2,584,938
          Work-in-process           538,849                    695,809
          Finished goods          1,033,507                  1,391,169
                                  ---------                  ---------

                                  3,832,601                  4,671,916

          Less reserves            (414,565)                  (397,000)
                                   ---------                  ---------
                                $ 3,418,036                $ 4,274,916
                                ===========                ===========

3.       Property, plant and equipment, net

          Property,  plant and equipment comprised the following at December 31,
          1996 and 1995, respectively:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996              1995

<S>                                                           <C>               <C>       
          Leasehold improvements                              $1,141,392        $1,141,392
          Equipment                                           7,690,542          6,184,613
          Furniture, fixtures and office equipment            1,761,300          1,622,456
                                                               ---------          ---------

                                                               10,593,234         8,948,461

          Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     (8,254,576)        (7,462,598)
                                                              -----------        -----------

                                                               2,338,658          1,485,863
          Construction-in-process                              236,462            523,349
                                                                -------            -------

                                                              $ 2,575,120        $ 2,009,212
                                                              ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

4.        Notes payable

          As of December 31,  1996,  the Company has a credit  agreement  with a
          bank,  effective  May  13,  1991,  which  provides  for  a  $5,000,000
          revolving  line of credit which expires on June 14, 1999.  The Company
          may at its  option  reduce  the  revolving  line of  credit  amount by
          increments of $500,000. This revolving line of credit accrues interest
          on each borrowing at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, as specified in the
          credit  agreement,  plus 1.375% or the prime rate as  specified in the
          credit  agreement,  at the Company's  option.  The credit agreement is
          collateralized by all the assets of the Company.  Under the provisions
          of  the  credit  agreement,  the  Company  must  comply  with  certain
          restrictive  covenants,  including  maintenance  of certain  financial
          ratios.

          No amounts were outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 1996.
          Borrowings  outstanding under this agreement were $800,000 at December
          31, 1995.

5.        Income taxes

          The income tax  provision  comprises the following for the years ended
          December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively:

                                        1996                         1995
           Current:
                Federal            $ 708,592                   $ 1,057,840
                State                188,912                       361,015
                                     -------                       -------

                                     897,504                     1,418,855
                                     -------                     ---------

           Deferred:
                Federal              146,670                       139,764
                State                 96,174                        38,184
                                      ------                        ------

                                     242,844                       177,948
                                     -------                       -------

                                  $1,140,348                    $1,596,803
                                  ==========                    ==========

          The effective  income tax rate was  approximately  41% at December 31,
          1996 and 1995.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based
          on the  difference  between the  financial  statement and tax bases of
          assets and liabilities at the applicable  enacted tax rates.  Deferred
          tax assets and  liabilities  are the result of  depreciation  expense,
          inventory  cost   capitalization,   allowance  for  doubtful  accounts
          receivable and currently non-deductible accrued liabilities.

6.        Commitments

          The  Company  leases  its  manufacturing  and  office  facilities  and
          vehicles under  noncancellable  operating leases with expiration dates
          through February 2005.

          Future minimum lease payments under  noncancellable  operating  leases
          are as follows:

                Year ending December 31,
                ------------------------

                          1997                           $302,711
                          1998                            436,946
                          1999                            410,412
                          2000                            447,898
                          2001                            447,898
                       Thereafter                       1,444,470
                                                       ----------
                                                       $3,490,335
                                                       ==========
                                                  
          For the years ended  December  31, 1996 and 1995 the Company  incurred
          rent expense of $597,549 and $608,135, respectively.

          During  1996,  the  Company  made a $150,000  payment to a supplier to
          cancel  a  purchase  commitment.  Such  amount  is  included  in other
          expenses in the accompanying Statement of Income.

7.        Amounts  due  from  (to)  Parent  and  affiliates  and  related  party
          transactions

          Non-interest  bearing  amounts  due from (to)  Parent  and  affiliates
          comprised the following:

                                                       1996             1995

           Amounts due from Parent                 $ 2,367,493      $ 1,054,401

           Amounts due to Parent                           -0-           (9,385)

           Amounts due from (to) affiliates:

                Comasec S.A.                             4,994               -0-
                Fenzy, S.A.                              1,583               -0-
                Comasec International, S.A.           (119,221)              -0-
                                                      ---------    -------------

          Net amounts due from (to) Parent and      $ 2,254,849      $ 1,045,016
          affiliates                                ===========      ===========
           
          Amounts  due  from  (to)  Parent  and  affiliates  primarily  comprise
          balances  relating to various  purchases,  sales and loans between the
          Company,  the Parent and its affiliates.  Amounts due from (to) Parent
          and  affiliates are not  anticipated  to be collected  within the next
          year. Accordingly, such amounts have been classified as non-current.

          During 1996 and 1995,  the Company  sold  inventory  to related  party
          entities totaling $646,272 and $355,034,  respectively,  and purchased
          inventory from Fenzy, S.A. totaling $58,402 and $39,805, respectively.

          Comasec International, S.A. (CISA) provides management services to the
          Company for a fee. The  management fee amounts have been included as a
          component of other  expenses in the  accompanying  Statement of Income
          and totaled $74,319 and $105,098 for the years ended December 31, 1996
          and 1995, respectively.

          At  December  31,  1996,  the  Company had  guaranteed  $1,000,000  of
          borrowings   available  to  a  related  party.   Management  does  not
          anticipate any material loss as a result of such guarantee.

8.        Contingencies

          The Company is a defendant in legal actions  arising during the normal
          course of business. The litigation process is inherently uncertain and
          it is possible that the  resolution of these disputes and lawsuits may
          adversely effect the Company.  Management believes,  however, that the
          ultimate  resolution of such matters will not have a material  adverse
          impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

9.        Employee benefit plans

          During  1996 and 1995,  the Parent  maintained  a 401(k)  savings  and
          defined contribution pension plan covering substantially all employees
          of the Company who have  attained  the age of 21 and have at least one
          year of service with the Company. The Company contributed $435,136 and
          $425,425  for 1996 and  1995,  respectively,  including  discretionary
          contributions  of $250,000  for each of 1996 and 1995 to this  pension
          plan.

10.       Subsequent Event

          On March 28, 1997, the  shareholders of CISA entered into a definitive
          agreement to sell 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of CISA.



