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SCBA usage
During training yesterday was the first time I have ever worn an SCBA. I openly admit that I completely freaked out and yanked the mask off (yes, I know this could kill me in a real situation). My question is, does anyone have any tips, hints, or tricks that will help me become more comfortable and not freak out?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by FF Nick on
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Come up to the station one day, put the pack and mask on and just walk around. Do chores, lite excercises, etc. More time you spend on air, the quicker you will get used to it.
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Permalink Reply by willie plunk on
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its commen to freak out a little a first but just remeber that this what u doo and that peace of eqwepment will save u so u need to buddy up with it using it arount the station will help but just take a deep breath while u have it on and try to clear ur mind the more u use air the more it will be natral to you
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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I came across a thread in here all about this topic and has a lot of tips. I believe it's in "the probie corner" group ( under "groups"). Check it out. And, no, I don't mean to lable you as a probie, just saying that that is where i saw the thread.
My advice??.....repetition brings comfort. keep doing it...even if you're just wearing the mask by itself for a while. Baby steps.
take care and stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Verducci on
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practice practice practice. Do everything with your SCBA. We do truck checks on air sometimes. or grab a bunch of people and in the winter have a snowball fight on air(if weather permits)
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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Hey Tina,
What freaked you out about it? Was it the mask, or feeling like you had to work to breath? I think that is the first step. Find out what bothers you and conquer that first!
TCSS
Reg
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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During my training I was nervous, it all felt strange, uncomfortable. During one long practice session the instructor suggested removing the air line from the mask to just continue that way, to get us used to wearing the thing. Practice cylinders were running out. When he disconnected my line, I freaked and ripped the mask off – felt that I couldn’t breathe which was silly, plenty of air got in. After more practice sessions came my competency assessment. The assessment was done in a hot training facility, we had to enter and go upstairs with a charged hose. Half way up the stairs I started to hyperventilate, not a good feeling. I opened the bypass valve, took a couple of deep breaths of that lovely cold air then signalled my partner to continue. I knew and TRUSTED my training and equipment and that trust enabled me to recover quickly and get on with the assessment. I have not felt any discomfort since then – not once in an actual job.
Oh, when I came out of that fire-house, I told the instructors what had happened; they said “OK, feel alright afterwards did you?” And left it at that. Many people feel discomfort when first using BA, most can overcome it.
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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As mentioned: practice, practice and more practice. Wear the SCBA doing non-stressful normal activities to get used to it. The mask does limit visibility and can cause a feeling of claustrophobia.
If you start feeling apprehensive stop and take a few long slow deep breathes. Remember your training. The more familiar you become with the equipment the more you will understand and trust it.
Playing some sort of game with the SCBA on is a good learning tool. It helps take your mind off the SCBA and lets you focus on something fun. Play a game of chess, toss a frisbie or any other activity.
Best of luck to you.
Joh
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Tina, put on a SCBA and sit in a room and watch TV. Maybe a training video or just TV. Or while wearing the SCBA just walk around your truck bays looking in compartments. We have found that simple tasks like this while wearing the SCBA helps people to get comfortable with wearing them because they forget their even wearing them. Just simple mundane tasks may help you. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on
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I am one of the training officers at my FD and that is why it's called training. It is better that you "freaked out" in training instead of when you and I are crawling down a smoke filled hallway searching. Now, you just have to overcome this obstacle and move on. My best advice is to train, train, and train some more. The SCBA is probably one of the most overlooked and under appreciated tools that we have. We will even go as far as to wear it on our backs and not use it. Why carry around 40 lbs of extra weight if it is not needed. Learn your SCBA and all of it's ins and outs. As your confidence in your equipment increases, so will your comfort level in using it.
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haven't thought of that.... i like that idea. snowball fight w/ BA.....kool.
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Permalink Reply by DARMUS sebastien on
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Hello tina
you can put the bottle and the mask without connecting up and go about your household occupation, ... when you're comfortable connecting the mask and continue your job. Do not think about your breathing or you could eat too much air.
If you panic just removed the hose, without tearing the mask and try again.
Repeat the exercise as many times as needed!
to vary slightly as you are ok, obstruct your field of vision (scotch, teeshirt in the mask) and made a Reconnaissance of your firehouse to search a fictive victim (it's a goal for think on something other than his respiration)... it's an exercise that puts you a little more under stress
in France is what we do!! practice, practice, no secret!! good luck
Sorry for my english if is not perfect!
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Permalink Reply by Mark Maggard on
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It can be a little confining around the face. My issue is being able to get enough air with each breath, it feels restricting to me. I try to concentrate on the task at hand and not think about it. If I can't do that, I try to make a game out of it, see how long I can go without taking a breath. It usually works for me.
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