Fallen firefighter drag rescue
Kieran J. Ordway
Firefighter
Moyers Corners Fire Department
Liverpool, New York
Regarding Art Donahue`s “RIT Rope Drag” (Training Notebook, February 1999), I applaud Donahue for trying to make the hazardous job of firefighting a little safer. However, a different technique would overcome some of the cons pointed out in the article and addresses a very serious con–i.e., dragging a fallen firefighter facedown through the debris (from the incident or poor housekeeping) in the structure.
During an accredited NFPA 1001 course, I have taught the removal of the victims and fallen firefighters. Some of the techniques were taught long before the phrase “rapid intervention team” became popular. Students are exposed to carries and drags during training. Many of the fallen firefighter techniques involve rope or webbing.
One technique found to be the most effective uses a firefighter`s SCBA and a 20- to 22-foot piece of one-inch webbing tied into a loop. The technique, called the “fallen firefighter drag rescue,” is very simple, since the rope is pretied.
First, make a bight in the webbing, and pass it under the shoulder straps as close to the cylinder as possible on the fallen firefighter`s SCBA. The straps may have to be loosened to accomplish this. Depending on the fallen firefighter`s size and the model of SCBA, both straps may not be accessible near the cylinder. It may be quicker and easier to use only one shoulder strap.
Second, form a girth hitch with the webbing around the strap. Do this by passing the remaining webbing around the strap and through the bight.
Finally, remove the firefighter. With the webbing 20 to 22 feet long, the rescuer can face away from the victim without fear of kicking him in the head. By facing in this direction, the rescuer can use the full potential of his leg muscles and minimize the strain on his back. He can also see where he is going or feel the floor, depending on conditions. The rescuer can hold the webbing in his hand or put it over his shoulder. The webbing has more surface area than a rope, so there is less “digging in” on the rescuer`s shoulder or hand.
If there is no concern that the floor under you will fail, there are two other ways to pull the fallen firefighter. You can take the webbing and drape it over your SCBA cylinder or use a carabiner and connect the webbing to your waist strap as close to the cylinder as possible. To remove the webbing, simply turn around or remove the carabiner. If the carabiner will not open for any reason, you can unbuckle your waist strap and pass the buckle through the carabiner. Using these methods keeps both hands free and distributes the weight of the fallen firefighter across your SCBA system.
The positioning of the fallen firefighter is also important. If the fallen firefighter is pulled facedown through the debris, there is a potential to compromise his SCBA. This is especially true if the member uses a waist-mounted regulator and low-pressure hose or if the rescuer is down on all fours due to poor visibility or heat. There is also more contact with the floor, causing more friction, and therefore making it harder to pull the victim. Thus, the best position is having the fallen firefighter on his back. In this position, only one shoulder and the SCBA cylinder are in contact with the floor. Also, the fallen firefighter`s head is somewhat off the floor and protected.
If you are a member of a RIT responding to a mutual-aid call, familiarize yourself with the other department`s SCBA! If you are familiar with the SCBA, you can quickly loosen the straps to attach the webbing or quickly tighten the straps if you feel the SCBA may pull off the fallen firefighter. If that is still a problem, undo the waist belt, extend it, and reconnect it between the fallen firefighter`s legs. It may not be comfortable, but it will help ensure that he will see his family again.
There are three more benefits to using this length of webbing. First, it is long enough so that two rescuers can get a grip and pull if needed. If you feel that the two rescuers are too close, the second rescuer can always attach his webbing to the fallen firefighter, and then each rescuer will have a loop to pull on. Second, you can make a diaper seat on all but the largest victims. Finally, you can make a diaper seat for yourself if you need to bail out from an elevated position.
I commend Donahue and encourage others to continue to look for ways to make this job safer.
