RAPID INTERVENTION CREW (RIC) Bag

RAPID INTERVENTION CREW (RIC) Bag

Objectives Identify the components of the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) Bag. Identify the apparatus that will carry the RIC bags. Demonstrate each of the RIC Bag rescue options.

RIC bags will be carried on Operations BC Vehicles Quints/Trucks/Light Forces USAR Task Forces Hazardous Materials Task Forces

10 intermediate hose with UAC and EBSS connections Heavy duty D rings to hold extra tools and accessories Black nylon bag 150 tag line Flashlight Facepiece 2 nd stage regulator 1 hour SCBA bottle

Flashlight

Tagline When used in conjunction with a Thermal Imaging Camera, the search rope should be used as a tagline to help maintain search team integrity under difficult circumstances. Search rope should be used only for search or guide purposes and NEVER for raising and lowering.

Tagline Sterling Searchlite 7.5mm 150 feet Reflective yarn illuminates with light Locking carabiner on outer end Connected to RIC bag by stainless steel clip

Tagline Breaking Strength: 3,012 lbs. Elongation at 300lbs: 1.6% Heat: The rope will begin to melt around 450 degrees F. The Technora strand in the core will help it retain shape in the event of exposure to high temperatures. Maintenance: Inspect after every use. Wash in mild detergent.

Air Bottle 60 minute bottle Holds 88 cubic feet of breathing air 4500 psi Carbon fiber construction

First Stage Regulator Connects directly to 60 minute bottle. Lowers air pressure from bottle pressure to 115psi. Does not have a low air warning.

Facepiece and Regulator Allows RIC bag to be used for FF s with different SCBA (outside agencies). Blue face skirt/seal for RIC Bag identification. Does not have VPU. Does not have Heads Up Display.

Universal Air Connection (UAC)

UAC Connection High pressure connection attached to 10 foot intermediate hose. Connects directly to the back of a downed Firefighters SCBA.

Equalizes the pressures in both bottles. Takes about 30 seconds. Has a check valve to prevent air from coming back in from SCBA when connected.

Piggyback Assembly

Piggyback Assembly Attached to 10 foot intermediate hose. Also known as Emergency Breathing Safety System (EBSS). Uses air from the bottle with the highest intermediate pressure.

Piggyback Assembly Allows you to connect directly to a downed Firefighter s SCBA or second stage regulator.

These adapters can be utilized to supply air to rescue air bags as well. Some bags were issued with an adapter to fit older style SCBA s no longer used by LACoFD nor any regional departments.

Rescue Options When using the RIC Bag it s important to remember just as with any other tool or tactic, there will not be one way to accomplish the job. The tactics will be determined by the rescue scenario presented, you should do an initial head to toe to check the integrity of the victims SCBA to determine the best rescue option to apply. Once you have done an assessment of the victims SCBA, you should apply the thought process of going from the least to the most invasive when delivering air to a downed firefighter.

Rescue Options (from most to least preferred) 1. UAC- Connect the high pressure UAC fitting to the downed Firefighter s SCBA. 2. EBSS connection using the piggyback assembly: male fitting to downed Firefighter s SCBA. 3. EBSS connection using the piggyback assembly: female fitting to downed Firefighters Second Stage Regulator. 4. Remove the downed Firefighter s Second Stage Regulator and replace from RIC Bag. 5. Remove the downed Firefighter s Facepiece and Second Stage Regulator and replace from RIC bag.

UAC- The first choice in a rescue scenario. Allows rescuer to quickly fill the downed Firefighter s SCBA bottle with the advantage of disconnecting once it is full.

Rescue: Option 1 This is preferred because once the bottle is full and the UAC disconnected, there will be no hoses attached to the downed firefighter that can catch on any potential snags within the structure.

Rescue: Option 2 EBSS connection using the piggyback assembly: male fitting to downed firefighter s SCBA. Once connected, there is no transfer of air between cylinders. The downed firefighters SCBA will draw air from the bottle with the highest intermediate pressure.

Rescue: Option 2 Once connected, the downed firefighter s SCBA bottle should be shut off. This will conserve the air in their bottle in the event that the RIC team has to leave the firefighter.

Rescue: Option 3 EBSS connection using the piggyback assembly: female fitting to downed firefighters second stage regulator. Disconnect the downed firefighters second stage regulator from the SCBA and connect it to the piggyback assembly.

The risk is you will have to disconnect the downed firefighter from the air supply which will expose them to the IDLH. Personnel must be very familiar with the operation of the air fittings.

Rescue: Option 4 Remove the downed Firefighter s Second Stage Regulator and replace from RIC Bag. Use this option when you suspect a second stage regulator malfunction and the victims mask is intact.

Pre-connect the RIC Bag second stage regulator to the piggyback assembly then remove downed firefighters second stage regulator from the mask and replace with the second stage regulator from the RIC Bag.

Rescue: Option 5 Remove the downed firefighter s facepiece and second stage regulator and replace from RIC bag.

This is the least preferred option due to the exposure the downed firefighter will receive while in an IDLH environment. This option may be the first choice in a scenario where the victim has lost the integrity of his/her mask or is wearing a different brand of SCBA.

Rescue: More Options? Multiple Victims: Apply the same thought process to connect the RIC Bag to multiple firefighters using the various connection options listed.

Rescue: More Options? EBSS connection using the piggyback assembly: female fitting to downed firefighters second stage regulator + male fitting to second victim s EBSS.

Care and Maintenance Check bottle pressure and connections daily. Wipe the components with damp towel as needed. Bag can be machine washed if needed. Contact the SCBA shop at Pacoima for repairs (818) 890-5733.

SAFETY: Please note that the RIC Bag does not have a: PASS Alarm Low Air Warning

Director of Training Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis LACoFD Training Services Section (323) 881-2436