Point of No Return Second Quarter SCBA Manipulative

Point of No Return • Second Quarter SCBA Manipulative Drill Instructions:

Overview • For your 2 nd Quarter SCBA manipulative drill you will be doing a “Point of No Return” drill that will involve doing continuous moderately strenuous fire-ground activities, while recording your air consumption all the way down to zero air left in your bottle. • All suppression members are required to perform this activity.

Purpose: • All members need to be familiar with their air consumption rate while working on the fire ground and how long it takes to use up a full bottle of air. • All members need to maintain and awareness of their remaining air supply while using an SCBA in a hazardous environment. • All members need to follow the “Rule of Air Management” when operating in hazardous atmospheres.

Rule of Air Management (ROAM) “Know how much air you have, and manage that air, so that you leave the hazard area before your low-air alarm activates. ”

The Drill • In full structural PPE and with a full air cylinder, start the time when you clip your regulator into your mask. • Using a coiled 100’-1¾” pre-connect, flow water for 1 -minute. • Shut down, advance the full 100’, and flow water for an additional 1 -minute.

The Drill (Continued) Now perform a 1 -person 24’ ladder raise. Start by removing the ladder from your rig. Raise and fully extend the ladder. Tie off the halyard. With your partner footing the ladder, climb to the top and back down. • Lower the ladder and put it back on your rig. • • •

The Drill (Continued) • Now climb stairs for 90 seconds. • An alternative is to step up and down on your tailboard or other raised step for 90 seconds. • Repeat all three activities until your low air warning alarm activates • Then sit down and attempt to make your remaining air last as long as possible.

The Drill (Continued) • During this drill, the time recorder will record the following time intervals on the Data Sheet: – Start – 1 -green light – 1 -yellow light – 1 -red light – Low air alarm activation – Empty bottle – Estimate of 1/3 and 2/3 air remaining

Conclusion • Company Officers may make modifications to any of these stations provided that the alternatives sufficiently represent continuous moderately strenuous fire-ground activities. • Your diligence in taking this drill and air management seriously is greatly appreciated.