Vortex tubes are an effective, low cost solution to respiratory cooling needs. With no moving parts, a vortex tube spins compressed air to separate the air into cold and hot air streams by forcing the compressed air through a generation chamber which spins the air centrifugally along the inner walls at a high rate of speed toward the control valve. The air temperature controller adjusts the amount of air to the helmet and adjusts air 25 deg F (-3.8 deg C) warmer than the ambient air for use in cold environments.