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SCBA-pack Qualified
I'm just wondering, what's everyones guidelines to getting SCBA certified in their station ? when I joined my first company all we needed to do was put the pack on, show them what each thing did and breath air... now when I came to my other department we have to go through a whole pack test/course. which i think i shouldn't have to do since i'm already pack qualified...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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FETC....Could this be similar to a scuba system...? I mean I know that if you donot open your tank valve completely then when you take a breath your gauge will go to zero...then back to 3000....but open it the rest of the way and it will function properly....could this happen with SCBA...? To be honest I too am not that familar with the internal workings....Hope that you can shed some light for me.....thanks....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
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You change departments, you start from scratch. Your new deptartment is just following THEIR training guidelines. My best advice is to (re)learn that SCBA. A former Capt. of mine considered this the second most important piece of equipment in the field. He was constantly drilling on it.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Paul, this is for a Scott SCBA regulator, though I am familiar with most of them out there, but Scott has the vibra-alert system. The main valve not turned on all the way is not the reason. If the valve is cracked open, psi is psi. Though demand may be greater than supply but with multiple regulators reducing either (low or high) pressure air flow, the demand usually never gets overcome, the hazard is obviously hitting the stem and closing the valve during a search. The Scott's feature to make a mask vibrate is unique, and most users do not understand how the mask actually vibrates. But in emergency procedures class, I can show them how they work and why it is important to know the flows and flow route to better understand what is happening to your air in the dark, smiokey fatal condition fire.
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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When I started back in the day, SCBA qualification was part of you first round of training - called "24 hours" The whole smash took a few weekends and you were now qualified to ride and technically to breath air, but you still had a bit of an apprenticeship before you were allowed to go interior.
My new department (which is focused more on bushfire) has an SCBA class for senior members that spans a few evenings and a couple of weekend. Really SCBA is not that complicated, but you need to know it perfectly so you can get it right the first time, every time, in the dark with gloves on. I'd recommend taking the training.
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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Ditto. Qualified at one department is not necessarily equal qualified at another. A responsible department makes every newcomer a rookie, no matter how much experience they have.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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For the original question? Do the training your FD requires. My comments on it? I don't think your original FD trained you properly, where I am we do training under a National qualification system. BA training is linked with interia search and rescue techniques; after qualifying we have to perform properly in hot training before being allowed to go internal.
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G'day Vic - I'm an assesser, and something I have experienced? A couple of people thinking that I'm 'being yoo hard' on them. I answer that with 'you might be backing me up inside, I need to know that I'll be safe...' That usually shuts them up. I'm with you, BA wearing isn't hard to learn, all we have to do is be able to check the equipment and wear it properly.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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FETC,
I would have waited a little while longer before giving the answer, let 'em do some research. Good question though.
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Permalink Reply by John on
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you should first get your Firefighting Essentials and then take your Firefighter 1 test before you wear an SCBA in any fires. Whiile you are taking the Essentials classes you should familiarize yourself with what ever SCBAS your department uses. When I say familiarize I mean practice donning it,learning everything you can about that pack. Also wear it around the station while "on air" . For example sitting around watching TV or washing the rig.... just getting comfortable with it is very important. Stay Safe.
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Actually John...Firefighter 1 is the replacement class for Essentials/Intermediate Firefighting...
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OK...got that part....thanks
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Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on
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I actually have seen this working with new guys on our Scott 2.2s. They do not open the valve more than a half turn and stop because they hear air flow. After the first breath or two they say, "I'm out" but once I fully open the bottle it's business as usual.
Thanks FETC for the lesson on VibraLert
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