Smoke Diver

Self Contained Breathing

Apparatus and Emergency
Procedures Manual

 
Breathing Apparatus History

The need for respiratory protection became evident after leather fire hose was
invented. Once firefighters were able to move water through hoses the need to get
to the seat of the fire became the next obstacle.

Breathing Apparatus Time Line 

1825 – Apparatus Aldini was tested in France

(Asbestos Hood)

1863 – Lacour’s Improvised breathing apparatus

(Self Contained – Bag of air carried on the
wearers back)

1915 – Gibbs SCBA (First successful SCBA used

in the U.S.)

1945 – Scott Aviation introduces the AirPak

Early American firefighters had to face not only fire and the effects of heat with little
or no water supply, but also the debilitating effects of smoke with nothing at all to
protect them. As was the case for firemen all over the world, they could not
effectively operate under the heavy smoke conditions encountered during structure
fires. Fire service folklore recounts the practice of firemen growing long beards to
help them breathe heavy smoke. The theory was a fireman would dip his whiskers in
a pail of water, then clinch his wet beard between his teeth and breathe through his
mouth, using the wet beard as a filter.

The scientific testing by Aldini was ground breaking. He conducted tests of his
apparatus under actual fire conditions. This was the start of serious efforts to protect
firefighters from smoke as they operated at fires.

In 1863, a patent was granted to A. Lacour for his invention, the "improved respiring
apparatus." This was actually a self-contained breathing apparatus of sorts and
consisted of an airtight bag made of two thicknesses of canvas, separated by a
lining of India rubber. The device was carried on the fireman's back and held in place
by two shoulder straps and a belt around the waist. The bag was filled with pure air
inflated with a pair of bellows, and came in different sizes for air durations of 10 to 30
minutes.
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The first successful American self-contained breathing apparatus was the Gibbs.
Experiments with this unit began in 1915 and by 1918 they were being manufactured
by Edison Laboratories in Orange, NJ.

Toward the end of World War II, Scott Aviation was manufacturing breathing
equipment that allowed air crews to operate at extreme altitudes. One story goes
that a number of Scott engineers watched a smoky fire being fought in a nearby
building. They were amazed that the firemen had to operate in such a severe smoke
condition and they decided to see if they could adapt their equipment to suit
firefighting. Working with the Boston and New York City fire departments, Scott
introduced the AirPac in late 1945 after a year of field testing

The Georgia Smoke Diver Program

The Georgia Smoke Diver Program was developed in 1977 to teach firefighters the
necessary skills needed to use a fairly new and highly technical piece of firefighting
equipment…the SCBA. The fire service was quite nervous about firefighters relying
on a manmade piece of machinery inside the fire environment. At fire stations
around the country the SCBA was a piece of equipment that was kept in a case in
the back of a compartment and only to be used by those who were weak or on rare
occasions when it was “really bad”.

Veteran firefighters warned that the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus would lead
to injuries because firefighters wouldn’t be able to use their senses as they did
before. They were also concerned with the possibility of equipment failure while
deep into the structure.

Georgia Smokes Divers believe that the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus is to
the firefighter what the rifle is to the Marine. You cannot expect to be adaptable in
various situations and be able to trouble shoot problems that you might encounter
with this piece of equipment unless you are intimately familiar with all the parts and
how they work.

The breathing apparatus is a critical life-support system that allows firefighters to

work in smoke-filled environments or areas containing noxious fumes or gases. The
breathing apparatus is used to rescue civilians from life-threatening environments
and allow firefighters to minimize or prevent damage to property. The lungs and
respiratory tract are the most susceptible to injury during these conditions.

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Case Studies
Incident date: 10/27/97
Age: 27/ 43
Sex: Male
Rank: Firefighter & Lieutenant
Department: Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia, Pa.

Summary by USFA: Lt. McElveen and Firefighter Hynes died as a result of smoke
inhalation at the scene of a residential structure fire. The fire was a result of wires
that had come down on the roof during a heavy rain. The firefighters were operating
in the interior of a two-story occupied dwelling with a fire in the basement. They both
ran out of air, removed their SCBA masks, and remained inside the dwelling. The
two firefighters were found near the back door with their SCBA's on, but their masks
off.

NIOSH recommendations: Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters advise
dispatch on any change of conditions that would warrant a change in the status of
unit's responding to a specific condition. Fire departments should strictly enforce the
wearing and use of PASS devices when fire fighters are involved in fire fighting,
rescue, and other hazardous duties.

Incident date: 01/21/98

Age: 24
Sex: Male
Rank: Firefighter
Department: Fairlea Volunteer Fire Department, Fairlea, W.Va.

Summary by USFA: Firefighter Carter responded to a report of smoke in a

supermarket. The market was contained in a strip mall which also included a post
office and a photo-processing store. Firefighter Carter had been employed at the
supermarket in the past. Firefighter Carter and a Captain entered the front of the
store in full protective clothing and SCBA to search for the fire. They became
disoriented while trying to exit the store. The Captain alerted other firefighters by
radio that he and Firefighter Carter were lost and in need of rescue. Firefighter
Carter ran out of air and placed the breathing tube from his SCBA into his coat in an
attempt to breathe. The Captain was able to escape without significant injury.
Immediate attempts were made by on scene firefighters to rescue Firefighter Carter
but rescuers were driven back by intense heat and smoke. Firefighter Carter was
wearing a PASS device but it was not turned on. No hose line or search rope was
used. The cause of death was smoke and soot inhalation, carbon monoxide

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poisoning, and complete body charring. This was an accidental fire caused by an
electrical malfunction in a wall.
Incident date: 03/04/00
Age: 27
Sex: Male
Rank: Firefighter
Department: Fraser Department of Public Safety, Fraser, Mich.

Summary by USFA: Firefighter Sutton responded, along with other members of his
public safety department, to a working apartment fire. While they were engaged in
suppression of the first fire, another apartment fire was reported in a building across
the street from the original fire. Since no fire apparatus was available to respond,
Firefighter Sutton and other firefighters responded in a van to the scene. Police
officers were in the process of evacuating the building. A resident in need of rescue
had been spotted at a second story window. Mutual aid fire companies were
responding but not yet on the scene.

The smoke conditions at the entrance to the apartment building were light, with
heavier smoke and heat on the second floor. Fire at the top of the stairs was
observed by one firefighter. Firefighter Sutton and another firefighter, equipped with
full-protective clothing and SCBA, entered the building to effect the rescue.
Witnesses outside the building reported that the resident disappeared from the
window as if she had been reached by firefighters. Within seconds, a flashover
occurred, trapping the resident and the two firefighters. Both firefighters managed to
reach a bathroom at the rear of the apartment, but they were unable to get through
the window with their SCBA in-place.

Firefighter Sutton was observed by other firefighters at the window, and a rescue
effort was mounted. Two firefighters shed their SCBA and entered the bathroom
from ground ladders. Firefighter Sutton was removed after his SCBA was cut from
him. The low pressure hose on his SCBA had burned through. The other firefighter
was located in the bathtub and removed. Both firefighters were transported to the
hospital. Firefighter Sutton was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death
was listed as asphyxiation. The injured firefighter sustained major burns and was
hospitalized for 6 months. The resident of the apartment also died. The fire was
caused when an arsonist(s) ignited combustibles on the first and second floors of the
apartment building. This fire was one of six arson fires that occurred in the same
general area over 2 days.

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Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) are used to allow firefighters to work in
atmosphere that are not suitable for sustaining life. These atmospheres are know as
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). SCBA’s should be worn at all
times while you are operating in IDLH or potential IDLH environments.

IDLH Environments
Oxygen Deficiencies

Normal Oxygen levels in the atmosphere are 20.8%. Due to changing atmospheric
conditions caused by the combustion process, bacterial action, rusting, chemical
reaction, human consumption or displacement this level can be reduces. Once an
atmosphere declines to 19.5% it is considered Oxygen deficient.

Effects of Oxygen deficiency

• 15-19% = Decreased ability to work

• 15% = non-flaming combustion

• 8-10% = Mental failure, unconsciousness, nausea & vomiting.

• 4-6% = Coma, seizures, death

Elevated Temperatures

Today’s fires burn at higher temperatures that they did in

the early days of breathing apparatus. This is due to the
massive amount of petroleum products used in building
materials and building contents.
Wood – BTU’s 9000 BTU’s per pound

Plastic – BTU’s 20686 BTU’s per pound

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 Temperatures that exceed 130° result in damage to the
respiratory tract, such as pulmonary edema.

Smoke

Smoke is created by incomplete combustion. The particles of matter are suspended

in the atmosphere where they can be ingested. Smoke particles carry dangerous
materials such as asbestos, chemical deposits.

Toxic Gases

Toxic gases are produced during combustion. Researchers continue to study the
products of combustion and are constantly indentifying additional gases that are
produced from various products.

Some of these toxic gases and there source:

• Carbon Monoxide = Plastics

• Hydrogen Chloride = Vinyl

• Hydrogen Cyanide = Carpeting

• Nitrogen Oxides = Foam rubber

• Phosgene = Refrigerants contact flame

Toxic gases will affect the body in various ways, which are dependant on the
chemical the user is exposed to.

Acute symptoms Chronic symptoms

• Burns • Lung disease

• Irritation • Hypertension
• Coughing • Tremors “shakes”
• Watering eyes • Skin lesions
• Headache • Tumors
• Increased respiration • Seizures
• Decreased blood pressure • Organ failure
• Lack of coordination • Death
• Nausea & vomiting  
• Unconsciousness
• Seizure
• Death

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Types of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Open Circuit Positive Pressure

The use and function of a DEMAND pressure SCBA is prohibited for operation in an
IDLH environment.

Open Circuit SCBA – Positive Pressure Method of Operation

1. Compressed air from cylinder is supplied to wearer

• Inhalation opens valve in regulator

• Regulator allows air to flow to facepiece

• Exhalation closes valve in regulator, stopping flow and opens exhalation

valve in facepiece to atmosphere

2. Air from cylinder is allowed to pass through regulator. Upon inhalation, pressure
is reduced in facepiece. Regulator supplies more air to compensate for pressure
drops. Exhalation valve forced closed by spring tension causing slight pressure
buildup inside facepiece

• Maintains slightly higher than atmosphere pressure

• Prevents leaks from outside into facepiece

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Closed Circuit SCBA – Positive Pressure Method of Operation

1. Compressed oxygen from cylinder is supplied to wearer

• Inhalation opens valve in regulator

• Regulator allows air to flow to facepiece

2. Exhalation closes valve in regulator, stopping flow and

opens exhalation valve in facepiece to return the exhaled
air back to the scrubber where it is cleaned and additional
oxygen is added from the cylinder to the air where it
returns through the regulator.
The BioPak Closed Circuit 
Breathing Apparatus. 

Basic SCBA Components

Purge Valve 1st Stage Regulator Pressure Gauge

Facepiece 
2nd Stage Regulator 

Air Cylinder 

Harness (Backpack) 

Cylinder Gauge 

Scott AirPak 50

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 ISI Viking Survivair MSA

SCBA Daily Maintenance Inspection

The Georgia Smoke Diver is extremely concerned with the readiness of all
equipment. This is an individual responsibility regardless of rank. YOU ARE
RESPONSIBLE for checking the readiness and operation of you SCBA. This
inspection should be the first priority of you shift change ritual. Upon reporting to
your station and placing you gear in service you must check you SCBA for the
following:

• Cleanliness / damage
• Full cylinder (4500 or 2216 Full means full not close to full)
• Low pressure alarm (sounds at the ¼ capacity)
• Gauges ( make sure cylinder gauge and chest mounted gauge indicate a close pressure)
• Hoses (check for leaks, bubbles or cuts)
• Facepiece (check for glazing or cracks, head gear assembly)
• Backpack/Harness assembly (straps fully loosened)
• Regulator (hook to your face piece and take a breath)

SCBA Physical Requirements

• Be in sound physical condition
• Posses good agility
• Proper fit
• Have good motor coordination  
• Possess adequate strength and size

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 OSHA 1910.134 is the standard for an annual medical evaluation. Facial hair is not allowed
on any part of the face that would be in direct contact with the seal of the face piece.

SCBA Limitations

Each individual reacts differently to the following

limitations of the SCBA:

• Added weight / reduced mobility

• Reduced visibility
• Decreases ability to communicate
• Limited duration of air supply

Special and Additional SCBA Features

• PASS integration
• Universal RIC connection
• HUD
• Redundant low air alarm
• Buddy breathing systems
• Quick Fills

ISI Viking 
Donning and Doffing
Donning is the act of placing the SCBA on oneself for use. Doffing is the act of
removing the SCBA for reducing the profile of yourself, for access to vital
components during equipment failure, or for servicing and placing the unit back in its
storage area.

Common Methods of Donning and Doffing

• Over the head

• Coat
• Seated position (SCBA is mounted in an apparatus seat)
• SCBA stored in a compartment

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Air Supply & Duration of Use
The User

The users physical condition, level of exertion, level of stress and emotion
along with their level of training and experience contribute to the duration of the
users air supply.

4 Individual Factors Effecting Work Duration

Conditioning

Exertion

Stress / Emotions

Training & Experience

The SCBA

The condition of the SCBA, cylinder capacity and atmospheric conditions all
effect the work duration of a user wearing the SCBA. A poorly maintained SCBA
does not breathe as efficiently and may even experience small leaks that are not
obvious to the user. One of the most common maintenance mistakes is not to have
a full cylinder. The cylinder capacity is the amount of air that the cylinder will hold.
Fire service air cylinders typically are rated at 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour. The
two operating pressures are 2216 psi and 4500 psi. The volume of air is measured
in cubic feet.

Cylinder Size / Pressure and Cubic Feet 
SCBA Factors Effecting Work Duration
30 min 2216 psi = 45 cubic feet 
Condition of the SCBA 30 min 4500 psi = 45 cubic feet 

Cylinder Capacity  45 min 4500 psi = 66 cubic feet 

Atmospheric Conditions  60 min 4500 psi = 87 cubic feet 

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 SCBA Air Conservation
Georgia Smoke Divers pride themselves on their ability to conserve air in all
situations. Air conservation takes repetitive training, experience and a strong ability
to remain oriented to your air management. One of the easiest ways to conserve air
is to make sure that the last thing you do before entering an IDLH environment is to
connect or go on air and the first thing you do when you are out it is to disconnect
and shut your cylinder off. Another air conservation technique is to avoid lingering in
the environment. Too many firefighters stay in the IDLH environment after their
assignment is complete. Your job is to always be the guy with air who can adapt and
react quickly when needed. Complete your assignment and get out unless
reassigned. Upon being relieved or assigned to rehab IMMEDIATELY replace your
air cylinder with a full one before you do anything else. This ensures that if needed
you are ready to go.

Breathing Patterns to Conserve Air

Physical and mental stress contributes greatly to you ability to conserve air. Your
breathing patterns can help you cope with this stress. Martial Arts instructors teach a
breathing technique called Autogenic Breathing. The technique is to breathe in 
through your nose for a count of three, hold for a two count, and then breathe 
out through your mouth for a three count. Research has shown that if you 
perform this technique for a three cycle count, you will decrease your heart 
rate up to 30% for up to 40 seconds. If your heart rate was around 175 bpm, 
autogenic breathing would bring it down into a target range of 145 bpm. 
Siddle found that a person with a 115‐145 bpm range is a maximum 
performance range. In other words, 115‐145 bpm is where your fighting skills 
and reaction time are maximized.  
Other Suggested Breathing Methods for Conserving Air

¾ Consciously slow down breathing

¾ Breathe in through nose, exhale through the mouth

¾ Skip breathing (2 breaths in and 1 long exhale)

¾ Forceful exhalation while working

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SCBA EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (USER)
Today’s SCBA undergo strenuous testing and must meet rigorous standards. Even
with these standards there is potential for mechanical failure due to several factors.
These factors include a lack of maintenance, damage during fire conditions and
improper use. The Georgia Smoke Diver Instructors have developed several
procedures for mitigating these emergencies. The basic process of accessing the
problem is a universal procedure for trouble shooting your problem. The advanced
methods are not approved by any standard and are offered as an alternative to
giving up which could ultimately result in death.

Rule #1

Do Not Panic

Panic is a result of stress. Stress causes the heart rate to increase and as this
increase occurs your decision making abilities. If you do not gain control you will
quickly experience the following symptoms:

Reprinted from Dale Stewart: Fear and Stress and How They Relate To
Survival Training

Dr. LeDoux explains what happens in our brain when the fear emotion is activated,
he believes that once the fear system of the brain detects and starts responding to
danger, the brain will begin to assess what is happening, and try to figure out what to
do about it through the following process: Information of the threat stimulus is
detected via the senses of the body; sight, sound, touch, smell, taste. Information
from one or all of these senses is then routed to the thalamus (a brain structure near
the amygdala that acts like an air traffic controller or a mail sorting station that sorts
out incoming sensory signals. In a non-spontaneous threat situation, the thalamus
will direct information received to the appropriate cortex of the brain (such as the
visual cortex), which consciously thinks about the impulse, assessing the danger,
and making sense of it.

Once a decision has been made as to what to do, the information is then
downloaded to the amygdala, which creates emotion and action through the body to
either perpetuate a physical response or to abort a physical response. In addition to
Dr. LeDoux’s work I have studied the research of Bruce Siddle and Dr. Hal
Breedlove and their work dealing with “Survival Stress Reaction” or SSR.

Siddle defines SSR as “a state where a “perceived” high threat stimulus

automatically engages the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic
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nervous system is an autonomic response process, which, when activated, there is
little you can do to control it. Some of the effects of SSR include an increase in your
heart rate, which will cause you to lose certain motor skills starting at around 115
beats per minute or bpm. At around 175 bpm you experience tunnel vision and
visual tracking becomes difficult along with difficulty focusing on close objects. Your
hearing starts to shut down at approx 145 bpm and as a result people may not hear
what you say. At 175 bpm you may have difficulty remembering what took place or
what you did during the situation. At 185 bpm, most people go into a state of hyper
vigilance. This state is also commonly known as the “deer in the headlights look”.
During this state you may do things that are not effective or show irrational behavior.
This is also the state in which people describe that they can’t move, speak, or
scream.

Remember that SSR is an autonomic response, which happens without thought on

your part. Siddle did find that a person can manage SSR during a survival situation
in the following ways:

• Visualization is commonly known as “spinal tuning” and we know that the

upper part of the spinal column holds short term memory. For this reason I
teach my first responder students to visualize both their plan A and plan B
strategy while responding to an incident.

• Simulation Training helps build experience and confidence through realistic

stimulus/response based training. The more real the training the better. To all
you instructors out there, skills should be separated into progressive steps,
rather than taught all at once. Many instructors teach physical techniques by
having the students practice the entire process from beginning to end when
first learning a new skill set. This is a big mistake. The brain learns first in
pictures and through modeling. By teaching a skill from A to Z all at once, the
student may not fully get the whole picture needed to perform the skill
properly. You must insure that the student understands step A fully, before
moving on to step B and so on. By doing this, frustration on the part of the
student and the instructor goes down, while confidence and skill level go up.
(This is classic Smoke Diver Methodology)

Autogenic Breathing is when you breathe in through your nose for a count of three,
hold for a two count, and then breathe out through your mouth for a three count.
Research has shown that if you perform this technique for a three cycle count, you
will decrease your heart rate up to 30% for up to 40 seconds. If your heart rate was

55 
around 175 bpm, autogenic breathing would bring it down into a target range of 145
bpm. Siddle found that a person with a 115-145 bpm range is a maximum
performance range. In other words, 115-145 bpm is where your fighting skills and
reaction time are maximized.

Heart Rate Effects on Senses

Heart Rate Effects

115  Loss of certain motor skills 

145  Loss of hearing 

175  Extreme tunnel vision, visual tracking is 
difficult, difficulty focusing on close 
objects 

185  Hyper vigilance “deer in the headlights”

Rule #2

Stop and Think

• Check cylinder valve

• Open emergency by-pass/purge valve

– take breath then close

• Filter breath as last result

DO NOT Remove Facepiece

Radio for help and activate your PASS but do not stop trying to save yourself

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SCBA ADVANCED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (USER)
The following options are not manufacturer or NFPA approved procedures. They are
advanced techniques that must be mastered and practiced during advanced level
training. They are to be utilized ONLY as a last resort and should never be utilized
as to extend operations in IDLH environments. These options are presented with
hands on training components as an alternative to doing nothing and dying.
PROPER AIR MANAGEMENT IS THE CORNERSTONE FOR PREVENTING
SCBA EMERGENCIES.

These techniques were developed for situations in which you are not close to an exit
or if you were to become physically trapped. As with all rescue techniques you must
let the circumstances dictate the procedure to use.

Mask failure

Numerous firefighters have experienced having their mask knocked off while in an
IDLH environment. Others have experienced glazing and melting of the face piece.
Smoke Divers always make every attempt to salvage their protective equipment. If
you face piece is knocked off get as low as you can and PUT IT BACK ON. If you
experience a lens failure due to melting or if a break occurs simply cover your mask
and try to plug the leaks with your glove. Remember the positive pressure will keep
you safe and breathing good. But if the hole is too big you will loose air rapidly. You
must make and attempt to minimize this loss to buy you time on your way out.

Breathing from a low pressure hose

If your face piece is knocked off, melts or is damaged in way that it is no longer
useful or hampers your ability to get out you should discard it. However if you still
use the older low pressure chest mounted regulators with a low pressure hose you
can keep the hose and breath through it. This will require you to disconnect it from
the mask. You can cut the hose off the mask if you need to. Then simply hold your
nose and place the low pressure hose in your mouth. Breathe in through your mouth
and out through your nose.

Regulator breathing

This technique is used when the mask has been destroyed and gloved hand or extra
hood cannot sufficiently seal the hole or damage to the mask to allow you to get
good air. Different brands of SCBA require different hand position but the idea is the
same. Crack the purge and hold the regulator in your hands with your hands cupped
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over your mouth. Use your fingers to pinch your nose. The free flowing air inside the
cup of your hands will allow you to breathe the air. Again breathe in through the
mouth and out through the nose.

Breathing from a cylinder

Should you experience a total SCBA failure but you still have air in your cylinder you
can still survive. While it is more difficult than the regulator breathing techniques you
can still use the same basic technique with practice. Remove the cylinder from the
SCBA harness and discard the pack. Cradle the cylinder under your arm with your
hand on the cylinder valve. Crack open the cylinder valve so that a small amount of
air is coming out. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch your nose and wrap you
other three fingers around the cylinder threads. Your middle finger should be higher
than the edge of the cylinder valves. Place you mouth on top of your cupped fingers
to get air. Maintain this position and adjust the flow so you are not wasting air.
Remember the cylinder will empty very quickly if not regulated so you have to
regulate it with the cylinder valve. Once you get it right you should not have to make
any other adjustment, just GO. You can maintain your room orientation by using
your shoulder to maintain contact with the wall.

IDLH cylinder swap

As another emergency survival technique we must become proficient in an IDLH

bottle swap. This IS NOT A TACTIC TO STAY IN LONGER. This procedure was
developed for emergencies in which you are trapped and your rescuers have passed
you a full cylinder while they continue to remove debris or force a larger entry point.
Straddle and sit on the full cylinder with the valve in front of you. Remove your SCBA
using the coat doffing method. Swing it around your left side and place it in front of
you with the bottom of the unit close to your knees. Loosen the cylinder strap and or
disconnect all locking mechanisms that hold the cylinder. Take a couple of deep
breaths and fill you lungs. Exhale slightly and then take a deep breath in and hold it.
Turn off the cylinder valve and inhale again to bleed off the system. Disconnect the
cylinder and remove it. Replace the cylinder with the full one while holding your
breath. As soon as you have the cylinder connected turn it back on and begin
breathing again. This process requires you to hold you breath anywhere from 30
seconds to a minute depending on how proficient you are in the swap. Once you are
breathing again lock down the cylinder to the back pack and re-don the SCBA.

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SCBA EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (TEAM-MEMBER)
These skills will be taught in the field
¾ The NFPA approved Universal RIC connection

¾ Use of the NFPA approved buddy breathing system

¾ Sharing a regulator – Not NFPA Approved

¾ Sharing a facepiece – Not NFPA Approved

¾ Sharing incompatible regulators – Not NFPA Approved

Use of the URC is preferred due to the ability to detach from the victim.

The buddy breathing system function and controls will vary from SCBA to SCBA.

Additional Safety Considerations

¾ Have a SCBA setup for RIT use

¾ SCBA are still needed during overhaul

¾ SCBA CANNOT protect you from:

• Radioactive materials

• Toxic exposure by absorption

Carbon Monoxide levels far exceed permissible exposure limits during overhaul. Not
to mention the presence of other toxic chemicals that you cannot smell, see or taste.
Air monitoring should be done to determine when the atmosphere is safe and no
longer IDLH. Prior to overhaul operations ventilate the structure with electric fans
help reduce the level of toxic gasses.

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A RIT pack can be fashioned by utilizing a durable bag which contained hand tools,
a streamlined SCBA and facepiece, PASS device and search rope.

SCBA CHANGING AIR CYLINDER

• Close the cylinder valve

• Bleed remaining pressure

• Disconnect hi-pressure hose from cylinder

• Remove cylinder

• Replace cylinder and secure

• Reconnect high pressure hose (hand-tight)

• Open the cylinder valve and check gauges and leaks

Removal of the high pressure hose connection while under pressure will cause the
o-ring to blow out.

Do not fill cylinders while they are still attached to the user. The EXCEPTION if for
the URC which is designed for a controlled fill.

Do not over tighten the high pressure hose connection.

FILLING SCBA CYLINDERS

• Compressor / Purifier System

• Cascade System
 

The use of an explosion resistant chamber is preferred while filling the cylinders.

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When filling from a cascade system, fill from the lowest pressured cylinder and work
your way up to the highest pressured cylinder. Be sure to close the cascade cylinder
valves as you change between each cascade cylinder.

Air quality requirements for SCBA must meet Grade “D” specifications:

• Dew point of -65°

• 5 ppm of condensed hydrocarbons per m3

• 20 ppm Carbon Monoxide

• 1000 ppm Carbon Dioxide

• Air quality tested at least every 3 months

Conclusion
Most firefighters fail to recognize the importance,
functionality and capability of their SCBA. It is the
most important piece of protective equipment that
we have. It is our responsibility as Smoke Divers
to ensure that we are competent in the use, safety
and emergency procedures regarding the use of
the SCBA. These skills ARE lost over time if not
practiced. Repetition is the mother of skill.

SCBA Maintenance is critical to preventing

mechanical failures. Simply checking your
equipment each shift can prevent numerous
problems but your department should have an
SCBA preventative maintenance program in
addition to these readiness checks. Department
programs should include fit testing, bench testing,
hydrostatic testing of cylinders and air quality
testing.

You are responsible for your physical fitness level

and the better shape you are in the more efficient
you will be in the SCBA. Training is never over for
a Smoke Diver so practice what you learn here for
the rest of your career.
 
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