FIRE FIGHTER I EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHEN USING SCBA TOPIC: TIME FRAME: 0:30. Level II LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION:

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1 TOPIC: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHEN USING SCBA TIME FRAME: 0:30 LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Level II AUTHORITY: 1997 NFPA and CCR, Title 8, Section 5144 BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVE: Condition: Behavior: Standard: A written test The student will confirm a knowledge of emergency procedures when using SCBA by completing the written test With a minimum 80% accuracy according to the information contained in Essentials of Fire Fighting, IFSTA, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4 or Firefighter's Handbook, Delmar, 2000 Edition, Chapter 7 MATERIALS NEEDED: Writing board with markers/erasers Appropriate audiovisual equipment Appropriate audiovisual materials REFERENCES: Essentials of Fire Fighting, IFSTA, Fourth Edition Firefighter's Handbook, Delmar, 2000 Edition Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, IFSTA, Second Edition PREPARATION: SCBA units can malfunction or become damaged during use. Several procedures are available for you to respond to these situations and resolve the problem or get to safety. Your ability to handle emergency situations will greatly enhance your chance of survival. Page 0

2 I. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES A. STAY CALM! 1. Allows clear thinking 2. Panic will make the situation worse 3. Stop and think a) What happened? b) How can it be reversed or fixed? c) How did I get to this point? B. Rely on training 1. Knowledge of SCBA operation a) Helps with troubleshooting b) Enables effective operation of SCBA in difficult situations 2. Frequent practice with SCBA will increase confidence in unit C. Control breathing 1. Conserves air 2. Helps keep you calm D. Inform others of your situation 1. Crewmembers 2. Outside personnel a) Advise if they need to initiate rescue What is the most important action to take in an emergency? What does this accomplish? Who should be informed of an emergency? Page 2

3 II. III. 3. Announce a "Emergency Traffic" message over the radio a) Follow local policy b) Identify self, current condition, and location E. Immediately exit the hazardous environment 1. All crewmembers together F. Manually activate PASS device 1. Signals distress 2. Helps identify location REGULATOR FAILURE A. Troubleshoot problem B. Attempt to fix C. Use bypass valve to conserve air supply 1. Close main valve 2. Open bypass valve during inhalation 3. Close bypass during exhalation FACEPIECE FAILURE A. Troubleshoot problem B. Attempt to fix C. Use bypass valve to increase airflow 1. Keeps contaminated air from getting into facepiece actions to take in the event of regulator failure? actions to take in the event of facepiece failure? Page 3

4 D. Use flash hood as filter IV. LOW AIR A. Control breathing B. Skip breathing 1. Inhale normally 2. Hold breath for duration of a normal exhalation 3. Inhale normally again 4. Exhale slowly V. LAST RESORT METHODS A. Practice these techniques during training 1. Emergency situations are not the time to try new techniques 2. Practice will increase confidence B. Buddy breathing 1. Two users sharing air from one cylinder a) Depletes air twice as fast or faster 2. Use systems provided on SCBA a) In accordance with manufacturer's recommendation and directions 3. Do not share facepieces 4. NIOSH and NFPA standards do not allow buddy breathing 5. Follow agency policy actions to take in the event of low air? Why should emergency techniques be practiced? What is buddy breathing? Page 4

5 VI. C. Low-pressure hose breathing 1. For total facepiece failure 2. Works with units equipped with low-pressure hose 3. Disconnect low-pressure hose from facepiece a) Some units require special tools 4. Breath directly from low-pressure hose D. Breathing from regulator 1. For low-pressure hose failure 2. Works with units equipped with low-pressure hose 3. Disconnect low-pressure hose from regulator a) Some units require special tools 4. Breath directly from low-pressure connection on regulator ENTANGLEMENT IN DEBRIS A. Stop moving B. Attempt to determine what caused the entanglement C. Reverse motions that caused the entanglement 1. Stop if problem worsens D. Cut or remove objects causing entanglement E. Get help from crewmembers F. Follow emergency procedures actions to take after becoming entangled? Page 5

6 VII. PASSING THROUGH NARROW OPENINGS A. Attempt to widen opening or use alternate route B. Move slowly C. Change your SCBA profile 1. Loosen harness straps 2. Remove one shoulder strap 3. Remove SCBA harness entirely a) Pass SCBA through opening ahead of yourself b) Do not remove facepiece 4. Maintain contact with SCBA at all times 5. Redon SCBA and secure all straps as soon as possible actions to take to pass through a narrow opening? What can the fire fighter do to change their SCBA profile? What should a fire fighter do after passing through the restricted opening? Page 6

7 SUMMARY: While using a SCBA in emergencies, it is extremely important that you do not panic. Clear thinking and reliance on training can resolve many situations. Trapped fire fighters should call for help as soon as possible so that rescue can be initiated. Train frequently with your SCBA to be familiar with all of its operating features. EVALUATION: The student will complete the written test at a time determined by the instructor. ASSIGNMENT: Review your notes and read Essentials of Fire Fighting, IFSTA, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4 or Firefighter's Handbook, Delmar, 2000 Edition, Chapter 7 in order to prepare yourself for the upcoming test. Study for our next session. Page 7