I am wood like to know what other people thoughts are on skip breathing. Is it the best way to save air or is there another way to breath to save air. Skip breathing works for me but I am always looking for a better way.
Skip breathing is similar to holding your breath for short periods when you're swimming underwater. If you have no other source of breathable air, then skip breathing is the only practical way to stretch your air supply.
The #1 priority for rescuing a downed firefighter trapped in an unbreathable environment is to ensure that he/she has an adequate supply of breathable air. The best way to do that is to bring an additional source of air supply to the downed firefighter. If you're on your own and the secondary air source hasn't arrived, skip breathing is the best known way to make your primary air supply last until the secondary source arrives.
Permalink Reply by Dave on September 27, 2008 at 4:26pm
Skip breathing is fine for short amounts of time, but in the long run your body will demand more and eventually will take it. You breathe for a reason, and when you cut the amount of breathes something has to give.
The best way is to learn to control your breathing,and be in the best shape you can be.
Skip breathing really works. I learned it in FF3 class. It takes some practice to become skilled at it though. And it doesn't work well if you're over exerting yourself, because your body will work against you as it requires more air.
Permalink Reply by Dave on September 27, 2008 at 5:04pm
Exactly my point. When your working in a fire, who's not exerting yourself?? Skip breathing is good if sitting still trapped, then again..who is going to be completely calm facing death??
Permalink Reply by T.J. on September 28, 2008 at 12:00am
I'd say that skip breathing is great but how often are you really going to use it unless your not doing manual labor like waiting of walking but I'd just say to learn how to breathe calmly and out through your nose, I see a lot of people who go through fast air by breathing through their mouth.
Permalink Reply by Isaac on September 28, 2008 at 1:21pm
everyone of you has put up some good points. but the more i learn about breathing you need to be in good shape. I can also say even if you smoke you can stay on air as long as others that doesnt smoke. I am glad i started this blog. A lot of good stuff here but remember Every One Goes Home at the end of there shift God Bless Yall
Skip breathing is an emergency procedure. It is not intendeed to be used under exertion. While you are working, your body demands more oxygen. You control this by staying calm and consciously slowing your respirations. Good physical conditioning and acclimation to working in turnout gear helps you achieve this. Under an emergency condition, such as collapse, where you are having to extend your air supply while waiting on rescue, you use skip breathing to extend the supply of air in your cylinder. There are a lot of other tricks you can use to extend your air supply, skip breathing is just one of the most popular techniques.
one excercise my dept. does is we workout in our scba we even wear them while playing ping pong sounds stupid but the more you do it you get used to a limited supply of air and make it last.
Skip breathing is a life saving skill that all should be taught. More importantly, staying calm should be stressed. When I feel my breathing rate getting a little quick in a fire I will take a moment to adjust my rate and then continue on. I think this will save a lot of air for a little effort.