Recently, my business partner and I instructed a fire skills session at a CFA fire training ground for an underground mine rescue company.
During the pre-training safety briefing, the manager of the training ground said that under no circumstances were members to drag or operate a hose over their shoulder (regardless of how many operators are on the hose), as depicted below.
He cited two main issues:
1) Manual handling risks
2) Balance (loss of)
Thoughts from anyone else?
Is this still an accepted and taught practice in your department?
Do you agree or disagree?
FETC
Most car fires have an over the shoulder attack at some point for access to hard to get areas.
Very seldom do you see a dumpster fire fought without using the method as well.
Jun 10, 2010
Chief Dino
Shawn
Jun 11, 2010
Haldun-TRK
It is not appropriate for a firefighter to carry out intervention work by carrying a hose on his shoulder. From where? This application was used by sailors in internal response to ship fires. Over-the-shoulder or overhead carrying was used to carry, control and store the fire hose in small and small entrance areas on ships. This practice is not safe for firefighters to carry hose. It tires the hose carrier more, makes control difficult and causes the firefighter to lose balance. It is very dangerous to use this application, especially in areas where pressure increases and in dangerous areas (high, falling, slipping, etc.).
This technique can be used limitedly if you have a fire area downstairs and you use low pressure and you have additional friends. Otherwise, this intervention should not be allowed. It should be carefully considered in terms of security and risk.
Dec 21, 2023