CONQUERING THE ENTANGLEMENT HAZARD
BY BRAD BOMBARDIERE AND RANDY RAU
Firefighters entering a hazardous environment always run the risk of entanglement from numerous sources. Deaths resulting from entanglement in wires, cables, or other such hazards are a major challenge to fire personnel.
We observed in training that the most widely accepted method for freeing oneself from entanglements–the “swim” method–left a 30-degree cone or “blind spot” over the firefighter`s SCBA air bottle so that it could not be covered with traditional swim movements even if the swim technique was properly executed. No matter how good the technique, firefighters were unable to swim into the blind spot. Since the profile of the air bottle causes many entanglements, the majority of them occur within that blind spot.
We observed recruits as they attempted to free themselves from an entanglement. Anxiety built during the entanglement. After several unsuccessful attempts to “swim out” or disentangle themselves, firefighters usually would spin, move erratically, or attempt to break through the entanglements–all of which made the entanglement worse. We therefore added to the traditional swim method a technique for clearing entanglements in the blind spot.
REMOVING ENTANGLEMENTS
Removing the entanglement relies on three key elements:
1. limiting anxiety,
2. making contact with the entangle-
ment, and
3. removing the entanglement.
Limiting anxiety is most important for success. Without total mental control and a calm, determined demeanor, the best technique will fail. Having a sound, methodical plan will help you control anxiety should you become entangled. At the point at which you become entangled, your assigned task is over until you remove the entanglement. Remaining calm is the key; anxiety only makes things worse.
If you see or feel lines or wires–BUT ARE NOT YET ENTANGLED–lift them straight up with the back of your hand, slide your hip through, lift the wires over your head, and release them behind you.
Once entangled, use the following method, which is sequential and easy to remember.
Step 1. Identify the entanglement by feeling the resistance early.
Step 1-A. Immediately stop forward motion. After feeling some resistance to forward movement, you must stop moving forward, or the entanglement will wedge itself tight and become more difficult to remove. If you try to “bull through” or break through the entanglement, you will make the situation much worse.
Step. 2. Initiate the swim. Making contact with the entanglement without making it worse can be challenging. After stopping movement, get on your hands and knees as if you were going to crawl. Gently back up only enough to relieve tension, approximately four to six inches, which should be enough to relieve the tension against the entanglement. At this point, attempt the traditional swim: With your arm straight, start at your hip and sweep your arm forward from hip to head in as large an arc as possible.
Step 2-A. Complete a full forward swim stroke. The swim stroke should finish fully out in front of your helmet. This step alone will remove 30 percent of the entanglement.
Step 2-B. If contact is made with the entanglement, do not grab it. Grabbing at this stage will create poor swim technique, and most entanglements will be missed at this time.
Step 2-C. If contact with the entanglement is not made, swim with the other arm.
Steps 3, 3-A. Rotate from Position 1 (12 o`clock) to Position 2 (2 o`clock), approximately 15 degrees from Position 1.
Steps 3-B, 3-C. From Position 2, repeat right- and left-arm swim technique. Remember: If contact is made, do not grab the entanglement. Clear the obstruction over the helmet.
Step 4. Rotate to Position 3 (10 o`clock).
Step 4-A. Rotate the body 30 degrees in the direction opposite to Position 3–15 degrees from Position 1 (position “0”), and try again.
Steps 4-B, 4-C. From Position 3, repeat the right- and left-arm swim techniques. Remember, if contact is made, do not grab the entanglement. Clear the obstruction over the helmet.
Most entanglements are removed with good swim techniques that will have you finish the stroke well past your helmet. At this point, grasp entanglements not removed by the swim technique and by rotating. Do not lose contact at any point. If you have difficulty removing the entanglement, grasp it and attempt to remove it over the helmet. If this proves unsuccessful, guide your partner`s hand directly onto the entanglement, and have him remove it. Having your partner attempt to do this prior to this time increases anxiety, adds to the confusion, and endangers the partner. If you should become separated from your partner for any reason, try to cut yourself free. If that is not possible, contact your incident commander and ask for a rapid intervention team. In our department, the next step here would be the “E.S.C.A.P.E. Sequence” (Table 1).
We created a job sheet to aid in teaching this step-by-step swim technique (Table 2). The technique can be practiced in the station with ropes or extension cords. Placing wax paper in the face piece helps simulate smoke conditions without altering the environment.
Panic is the enemy during any stressful situation. With a well-organized plan in mind and plenty of practice in executing it, an entanglement can be a minor obstacle that can be cleared instead of an anxiety builder.
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(Top left) Firefighter is entrapped.
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(Top right, middle left) The traditional swim movements are performed but do not cover the 30-degree cone or “blind spot” over the SCBA air bottle.
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(Middle right, bottom left) The necessary rotations are then performed.
(Bottom right) The entanglement is removed over the helmet.
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BRAD BOMBARDIERE is a 14-year veteran of the Aurora (CO) Fire Department, where he has served on a paramedic engine for six years and as a lieutenant for two years. His current assignment is at the Rocky Mountain Fire Academy, a joint training facility of the Aurora Fire Department and the Denver (CO) Fire Department, where he has been an instructor in the Officer Development Program and of classes for recruits.
RANDY RAU is a 16-year veteran of the Aurora (CO) Fire Department. He served six years on a paramedic engine and five years as a lieutenant–with the Technical Team Rescue and in the training division of the Rocky Mountain Fire Academy for three years as lead instructor and drill master. He is assigned to the Technical Rescue Team and the Rocky Mountain Fire Academy (during recruit academies).
