One of the most important, if not most important, pieces of equipment used frequently by firefighters is the mask. It’s likely you could realistically operate without some other components of your personal protective equipment in an emergency. In a smoke-filled environment, however, you could not possibly operate effectively without your mask.
Visualize the scene; you arrive at the entrance door to the fire area, and to your horror you discover you do not have gloves in your pocket. You run all the way back to the apparatus only to find they are not there, either. By the time you get back to the building, the fire is knocked down or, at the very least, your brothers are already operating.
While safety chiefs may not like the following question, ask yourselves this: Could you have operated without your gloves? Of course, you are not supposed to operate without any of your PPE. Personally speaking though, I would have operated in this particular scenario and made the adjustments to protect my hands.
But you wouldn’t have been effective at all without your mask. I have been around a while now, and in the past have seen some members attempt to operate without their mask. I usually find them right at the door to the fire area or, if they are really aggressive, about 2 feet inside the door, which is hardly effective.
We used to have a name for these brothers – the “human door chock.” In the 1960s and early 1970s, some brothers operated without masks because that was the way they were taught, even though masks were then available. The usual complaints came out against the masks; they were “too cumbersome,” or they “slow me down.”
Don’t get me wrong, these were some tough mothers, working in times when the engine would not come out for a blow until the fire was out. But, realistically, how effective were these brothers, and did their stubbornness do their health any favors?
The design of masks used in today’s fire service allows us to operate effectively and safely, and give us the luxury of never having to expose our lungs to smoke and other toxins that are present in today’s combustions.
Regular checks
Speaking from personal experience, there are a few key things you should always do. You should always regularly check your own mask, so you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s going to work properly when you need it.
Make sure you check the whole mask, especially the cylinder to ensure that it is full to maximize your operating time. A mask not full to the max with air means less operational time. Make sure that all the straps, including the straps on your face piece, are correctly adjusted to suit your needs. And, open the cylinder valve fully whenever turning the mask on. Not having the cylinder fully opened can result in a sudden loss of air when operating.
Several years back, when I was still a firefighter in my company, Squad 1, we responded to a commercial fire in a large warehouse-type occupancy. I was searching for the seat of the fire about 100 feet into the structure, working off a search line.
I took a breath from my mask and to my horror the facepiece collapsed onto my face. I had no airflow to my facepiece from the regulator, but I knew I had a full cylinder since I had checked prior to the start of my tour.
I had a small feeling of panic for a second or two and then my instincts took over. I started to run emergency mask procedures through my head; I used the quick release maneuver to access the cylinder valve of my mask, I closed it and then opened it fully and started to immediately receive a positive airflow. I kept my facepiece on the whole time and held my breath throughout the procedure to correct the problem. The whole process took less than a minute to correct the problem.
Even though there was no visibility and a moderate smoke condition, I did not panic and was able to correct the problem. I was then able to continue my search for the source of the fire with minimal delay.
My actions meant I was able to maintain my composure, as well as keep my facepiece on during the whole time. The latter is very important; no matter what the problem with the mask is, always keep your facepiece on. This can possibly save your life. If you run out of air you can remove the regulator from the facepiece, but always keep the facepiece itself on. Any other type of airflow problem that cannot be corrected requires you to immediately leave the IDLH atmosphere.
The quick release escape maneuver, the reduced profile maneuver, and crawling beneath obstructions are other emergency procedures that need to be practiced regularly at drill.
Quick release
The quick release escape maneuver can be used when your mask becomes entangled in the rear of the assembly when operating. You should leave your facepiece on if operating in an IDLH atmosphere.
Then, release both shoulder straps and fully extend them, slipping your right arm through the right shoulder strap. Grab the left shoulder strap with the left hand as high as possible on the strap.
While firmly gripping the left shoulder strap, reach down and release the waist strap button with your right hand. (Another tip – always secure your waist strap when donning your mask, as it will eliminate another potential area of the mask assembly that could get snagged.)
While continuing to control the mask assembly with your left hand, turn to your left and face the entangled mask. Feel for the area where the assembly is snagged and disentangle it. When freed from the entanglement, re-don the mask assembly and continue to operate. You should always remember to carry wire cutters or a serrated rescue knife in your coat in the event you have to cut away whatever you have become attached to.
Reduced profile
The reduced profile maneuver is used when you find it difficult to move past an obstacle inside or outside a structure. Always leave your facepiece on if operating in an IDLH atmosphere. Release the right shoulder strap and fully extend it, and slip your right arm through the right shoulder strap.
Grasp your waist strap with your right hand, and with your left hand grasp the cylinder valve and twist the entire mask assembly as far left as necessary to pass the obstacle. When you have negotiated past the obstacle, pass your right arm through the right shoulder strap and snug it up and continue to operate.
Crawling beneath obstructions
If you are operating in a confined area or a confined space, you may have to remove your mask assembly to negotiate under and past an obstruction. Again, leave your facepiece on if operating in an IDLH atmosphere. Release and extend fully both shoulder straps, and slip your right arm through the right shoulder strap. With your left hand grasping the left shoulder strap as high as possible on the strap, reach down to your waist strap with your right hand and release it.
Continue to firmly grasp the left shoulder strap with your left hand and swing the mask over your left shoulder, bringing it to the front of your body. Then, lay the mask assembly down in front of you on the cylinder, and push the mask assembly ahead of you under the obstruction. Your body should follow your mask under the obstruction, and remember to always keep a firm grip on the left shoulder strap. Once completely clear of the obstruction, re-don the mask.
These are emergency procedures that should be discussed and practiced until all members of your unit or department become proficient in them. When you need to use these procedures for real, remember not to panic, but address the issue and alleviate the problem.
These procedures should always be accompanied by communication with someone on the fireground, making them aware of your plight so that assistance can be dispatched if necessary. These are procedures that can and may save your life.
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