A daily check of your SCBA may be taken for granted by even the most experienced firefighter. Common practice may be to allow a certain percentage below full on your SCBA cylinder be allowable before exchanging or refilling the cylinder. This drill reinforces the importance of making sure your SCBA is as close to full as possible at all times; you will identify how much “survival time” you have with as little as 500 psi of air.
This drill will emphasize the importance of air management and not allowing firefighters to work into their low-pressure alarm. Following the Rules of Air Management will save firefighters lives. In extreme cases–such as being trapped, lost, or disoriented–the importance of air conservation using all available air may be the difference between life and death.
Download this week’s firefighter training drill as a PDF HERE.
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He currently serves as Battalion Chief / Director of Training & Safety with the Pleasantview (IL) Fire Protection District (www.plvw.org) and is the Director of Training for Southwest United Fire Districts (www.sufd.org). In these capacities, he is responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of in-service training activities as well as a full-service fire training academy program. Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
