All of the previous comments say the same thing, you need to work through it.  If you are not part of a department - where could you go?  There are other areas you can go for more training and experience with an SCBA and not be on a Fire Department.  Try a company that does Environmental work or a Training Center that provides OSHA training (Specifically HAZWOPER).  There are several in the Chicago area, I previously worked at the one in NW Indiana (that started out in Alsip, IL).  They cover various respriators as well as SCBA. As an instructor there work I worked with people who had similar issues and discovered they had the same problem by attending the class we put on.  This is a different environment you are in, something like SCUBA Diving, and it takes time for your mind to get comfortable with it.  The confidence course is just that, builds your confidence with the equipment.  I have trained and attended training classes where even experienced firefighters with several years on the department do not make it through for one reason or another.  This is a training issue and you just need more work with it.  Hope you keep working and continue training, that is one of the most important things you can do.  I have continued my training for over 34 years.  Also read over material on Air Management for breathing techniques to help you to calm down and make your air supply last longer while working with the SCBA. Then again practice by putting the unit on and performing the skills.  It takes time and you will NOT find a quick fix.  The one saying that keeps me thinking of this is: "Amateurs train until they get it right, Professionals train until they can not get it wrong."  You have the ability to overcome your fear, just do not give up.

Michael - I completely know where you are coming from. When I went through the police academy, I discovered my issues with just that during air soft and use of force training where masks were required and physical stress is maxed.

Under that kind of peer pressure, I pushed through it. Then I went through SCBA training, and lord help me, I thought I would lose it! Just like you, as soon as I started to move/rely on my air, I was done. Panic, ripped it off. Once I got over the panic I was furious. And it went right back on. And I'm sitting in a chair.A fracking chair. Forget moving.

Long story short, being the intensely stubborn woman that I am, It became a nightly 2 hour trip to the station for desensitization. Best advice I got: hum. It forces you to control your breathing. I also started with the air wide open, and gradually decreased to the normal flow. I have no issues with the tunnels, dreiger trailer, heights, tight spaces, just something on my face, that sense of not getting air. Familiarity with it, knowing you are going to get air, and you can trust the equipment will go a long way too.

I got so I could run laps with the dang thing. Still don't like it, but I control IT, not the other way around.

Good luck!

Hi Michael,

Your idea of wearing the mask around the house to get used to it is a good start. However, I have the feeling that the real problem happens once you are connected to the regulator and are actually on air, because this is really when you are closed in and get the feeling of not getting enough air. So once you feel comfortable just wearing the mask then you have to advance to connecting the regulator and going on air. Now this will be a challenge just to get the equipment to do this. Perhaps you could contract your state fire academy, or county fire training center and explain your situation and your hope to become a firefighter, and maybe they would work with you at their facilities to train to use an SCBA, or at least they may be able to tell you what to do, so they can help you. Maybe join a volunteer fire department, most of them have great training programs and officers that could help you. Contact your local paid fire department maybe they would be willing to work with you at their station. As far as others having the same problem as you, don't worry about that there have been thousands of firefighters who have had this problem, you are not alone or different than a lot of people who have gone on to be great firefighters.

Now once you get the equipment and go on air there is a bypass valve and as soon as you feel closed in and can't get enough air turn it on slowly until you feel you are getting enough air, then give yourself time to calm down and then slowly turn the bypass off a little at a time, giving yourself at least a few seconds to become used to each level and remain calm, before turn the bypass down again. If at any point you start to feel that you can not stand it and are not getting enough air again turn the bypass up again so you are comfortable. Then you start working the valve closed again. Now this is not going to happen over night that you get the valve closed, so take your time and relax. It also does not mean today you get the valve closed and tomorrow you come back put the SCBA and will not have to open the valve. It will take time and patients on your part as well as the instructors part to get you to the point where you won't even have to think about it. Once you get to the point you are able to put the SCBA on without opening the bypass at all now it is time for the next lesson, go on air and start doing some small light tasks, (ex. walking carrying an axe, carry some garbage out to the dumpster, etc.) take your time walk, as time goes on you will increase the pace, and increase how strenuous the task is.  As far as advanced classes like mask confidence courses etc those are way down the road and should not even be considered or thought about now. But again when it is time you will start with small steps, first no SCBA, get a plastic culvert pipe (from a construction company or county highway dept, tell them what you want it for and they maybe willing to loan it to you or swap it out as you need to go to a longer pipe.) long enough to fit in but where you can see out both ends, be sure you have plenty of room to move around, and you will work up from there to longer pipes and then with the SCBA on and then on air, etc. Take your time, relax and enjoy your career as a firefighter. Congratulations on making the decision to be a firefighter. If I can help you anymore via e-mail feel free to contact me at KCCAPT36@aol.com 

Captain Kevin C. Ross