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Muscle Memory Required for Bailout Systems
I’m working on a research paper for my NFA class and have found some interesting statistics about the selection, use and training of bailout devices. I’m not promoting any device or even the use of a bailout device, however; if you are wearing a bailout system, you should be able to articulate to some one why you are wearing the particular system you have and how you would deploy the device during an emergency event. I have found that the departments who are wearing bailout systems may not be training enough to maintain the muscle memory required to deploy the system (in 15 seconds or less) during a severe emergency condition and the device is really only providing false security for the user.
The bailout devices must be trained on in the same manner as SCBA emergencies are to establish and maintain the muscle memory required to deploy the system. If you are in an untenable environment and need to exit a window above the first division and you are depending on a bailout system to lower you to the ground, you better have practiced the evolution several times before that moment.
After surveying several firefighters, most agree they would be unsuccessful or their emergency bailout would result in injury. I would like to hear about what is being done with bailout systems in your department and would ask to take my bailout survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VTYV5MQ
The bailout devices must be trained on in the same manner as SCBA emergencies are to establish and maintain the muscle memory required to deploy the system. If you are in an untenable environment and need to exit a window above the first division and you are depending on a bailout system to lower you to the ground, you better have practiced the evolution several times before that moment.
After surveying several firefighters, most agree they would be unsuccessful or their emergency bailout would result in injury. I would like to hear about what is being done with bailout systems in your department and would ask to take my bailout survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VTYV5MQ
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mike clark on
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I agree with Darryl on his assessment, however, I think it is part of a much larger issue now facing America's fire service. I am familiar with most of the devices now available for use in firefighter bailout. Some are better then others because of their size/design and the firefighter's ability to utilize them (dexterity is a big issue when wearing gloves), some are lighter and more compact, some offer better protection from injury because of surface area coverage (more envelopping type harness design), etc. All are good to excellent, but they all require an understanding of when, and more importantly why they have to be used and practice, practice and more practice. As an instructor with many years of experience teaching Rapid Intervention Team programs (rope bailouts are part of the corriculumn). I think that education and training in the recognition of deteriating conditions in the "interior sector" is really the underlying problem here. I am totally in favor of entering a fire building (I like to refer to them as confined space hazardous materials events) accessing the fire area and extinguishing it. This does not mean that an adequate size-up, exterior "snap shot" (where smoke and fire is now, intensity of these conditions) and a plan/consideration for a 2nd means of eggress if things go bad. Risk vs reward also comes into play at this juncture. However, we are not training our firefighters from the beginning of their educational process in the recognition and reaction factors for survival and self-rescue.
Stay safe and God Bless America!
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