BY RAY McCORMACK
Firefighters use a variety of hand positions to hold and operate the nozzle at fires. Unfortunately, many of these hand positions decrease stream effectiveness and can lead to a loss of nozzle control or loss of water. Some firefighters hold the nozzle the way they were taught, while others have used those methods to develop their own style. Holding the nozzle is not really about comfort; it is about effectively delivering the water where it is needed.
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Photo 1: The firefighter’s left hand is palm down on top of the hose, gripping the line just behind the bail. With this grip, the elbow points away from the body, eliminating the chest as an anchor point. The left hand is in line with the bail and can easily slide forward, causing a partial or complete loss of water. Some firefighters have been taught that this grip works best for an emergency shutdown of the line. However, shutting down of the line is rarely an emergency.
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Photo 2: The firefighter is holding the line with both hands close to his body and far from the nozzle. From this distance, using both hands to make circular motions will exaggerate the nozzle’s motion. While making these motions, the firefighter’s arms will move away from his body and make his hands the line’s only locking points. This grip causes the nozzle to whip around but not necessarily the way the firefighter intended. It is very difficult to accurately direct the stream using this grip, and it increases the chance of getting the nozzle caught in a doorway or in another object.
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Photo 3: The firefighter’s hands are very far apart. Using this style of nozzle grip relies totally on hand strength. If the right hand strikes an object during the advance or is used to regain balance, only one hand will control the nozzle. This nozzle grip does not allow the firefighter to compensate for changes in line pressure. If you can advance with this grip style, you are probably flowing less water than you should.
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Photo 4: The nozzle is too close to the firefighter’s body. This position does not allow for adequate pattern coverage with the nozzle. The firefighter has to move his body in the direction he wants the water to go instead of simply moving the nozzle. This grip causes problems if the line gets caught on an object, pushing the firefighter on top of the nozzle, as there is no additional hose out in front of him. When the nozzle is this close to the body, there is a greater chance of losing hoseline control, increasing the odds of having to shut down and call for more line.
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Photo 5: The firefighter is holding the pistol grip nozzle close to his body. Many firefighters fall into this trap. When the upper right arm is in a straight line with the shoulder, the nozzle is brought too close to the body. Attempting to make a turn into a room will require the firefighter to turn into the room instead of just using the line’s reach. Holding the bail while operating can cause a partial loss of water as the firefighter advances. Using this grip places the firefighter on top of the nozzle.
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Photo 6: The firefighter has his left hand palm up below the nozzle bail and on the first coupling from the nozzle. By placing his hand on the coupling, he has a positive gripping spot. His left elbow is pointed inward and can rest against his body for additional support once water is flowing. The line is tucked below his upper right arm, and his right hand is holding the line. The line is secured in four places, and there is enough line in front of the firefighter to provide maximum stream coverage and to easily move the line around a corner. By having additional hose out front, the firefighter can gauge when the line has moved back. This allows the firefighter some “time” before control is lost.
Observe how your firefighters hold the nozzle next time you drill. Remember, once the bail is open, remove that hand until it is time to shut down. Although it is difficult to change habits, using more effective gripping techniques will result in a safer fire operation.
RAY McCORMACK is a lieutenant in and a 26-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. He is the founder of Live Burn Training, specializing in firefighter training and benefit seminars. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC H.O.T. Hose Loads and Deployments program.
