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Helmets Causing Headaches...
Hey all, we got paged to a hay bail fire in a barn, we arrived on scene to find the arched metal barn in good shape structurally, however there were about 70 round bales inside that had a pretty good jump on us. We decided against sending a crew in for interior because the risk just wasnt worth it in this case. Fast forward to the end of the scene, it's been 5 hours of dragging hose, breathing in thick smoke and full structural gear because my volunteer fire dept doesnt have wildland gear. I got home and had possibly the worst headache I've ever had I attributed it to having my helet on for 5 hours. I've been on other scenes and had my helmet on for an extended period of time, however the headache has never been this bad before. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for helping prevent my headache next time were on scene for an extended period of time? Also has anyone else had this or am I an isolated person that should consider a new career? :(
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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I'd be more inclined to attribute the headache to that breathing in thick smoke for 5 hours! Bad news that - you should have been wearing breathing apparatus. Just because it was hay doesn't mean the smoke was 'clean'.
Wearing a heavy helmet for long periods is not good, it's another reason for needing regular rest breaks. We aren't machines, rest is critical.
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Permalink Reply by Cory on
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Tony put it on the dot, just cause its hay doesn't mean its smoke you can breath, If at all possibly stay out of the direction of smoke or put on a SCBA if you are getting the brunt of it! And wearing your helmet for a long time did help to, and if you didn't have much manpower call for more mutual aid if you can, breaks are there for a reason, you should not break your back for a barn fire!
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Permalink Reply by ryan on
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i think your headache might be due to the inhailing of some of the smoke from the burning hay. sounds funny i know,but i have instructed and been part of live fire evoulitions when hay was used and id go home with a wicked headache!,as far as the helmet thing. ive never had a headache from wearing my helmet, a sore neck yes,but never a headache
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Permalink Reply by united 289..{Dave} on
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White helmets. LOL now wait a minute. LOL
Alex I have to agree with all of the above. Being in ems also and the studies that have been done dyhration is a major factor hear in this. Another thing that hasn't been metioned hear. Helmet adjustment. It should fit comfortable and let your chin strap do it's job.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly A Bownas on
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I am wondering why you and your fellow firefighters weren't wearing SCBA? This is part of your PPE and should have been worn. You then wouldn't have had a headache one and two dehydration will cause that. everyone should have taken a break and re hydrated over the course of that 5 hours. Everyone is right in that you don't know if there was anything that was sprayed on the hay when it was in the field before being cut and bailed. when I have had a headache after doing a job it is usually because I have adjusted the helmet so that it is to tight, but usually it is just my neck that hurts from having the helmet on so long. Good luck and be safe....
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Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
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It sounds more like the smoke causing your headache, and mixed in with that a little dehydration. As far as wearing a SCBA for a 5 hour surround and drown, That seems a little extreme. Set up unmanned master streams and call the Bambi Burger and Bug Juice Waggon, take the jacket off, and rest.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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I also get slight headaches after wearing my helmet with the ratchet band a little too tight. If it's too loose, it falls off when I look down; too tight, headache. I'm sure many have had this experience.
However, to review: breathing in thick smoke. Bad idea. From somewhere on the web:
"Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Dizziness"
As Billy G says, "Ya don't have to breathe that shit." I will add that you don't earn any points for suffering or worse. SCBA, all the way.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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Sounds like a carbon monoxide headache. This is why SCBA is so important on every fire, not to mention Rehab. As Tony P said, we're not machines. Glad you're OK, stay safe!
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Spoken like a true medic, anything to get you to have a bus ride to the hospital.
Seriously, it's not rocket science. If you don't feel well at a fire, take a rest, remove your jacket ,and helmet, have something to drink (and eat if available). If you still don't feel well after a little bit, go get checked out by EMS.
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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on
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Like everyone else has said the headache was probablly caused by the smoke. Also hay usaully has alot of dust and mold on it. I live a small farm and we have got fertillizer and sevreal other types of nasty chemicals in our barn. Bottom line is you never know whats in the smoke you are breathing in. Stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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Sounds like the cause was mostly inhaling smoke not just the helmet. Avoid inhaling any by products from fires especially hay fires were the risk out weights the gain. Plus hydrate often and wear wet cool towels on your head and neck with breaks often without helmet. My VFD responds to hay barn fires and containment until burn out and protection of surrounding structures is all we do. Just can't seem to put those out for good and they almost always flash up again. Good luck and stay safe.
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Sounds more like a personal (or personnel) problem.
:-P
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