SCBA Annual Retraining

SCBA Annual Re-training

NFPA 1404 Chapter 6
• 6.2 Annual Member Re-training and
Certification.
• Why?
– NFPA 6.2.1. states that “Retraining shall be
administered annually.”

NFPA 1404 Chapter 6 (cont.)
• 6.2.2. The respiratory protection training
program shall provide members with annual
training concerning the following:
1. Safely donning and doffing respiratory
protection equipment.
2. Uses and limitations of respiratory protection
equipment.
3. Consequences of an improper fit or poor
maintenance impacting the protection being
provided.
4. How to perform seal checks.

NFPA 1404 Chapter 6 (cont.)
5. How to recognize medical signs and symptoms
that can impact use of respirators.
6. How to inspect the respirator before use.
7. Procedures for maintenance and storage.
8. Individual limitations of members who could be
required to use respiratory protection
equipment.
9. Approved decontamination and disposal
procedures for respiratory protection
equipment.

NFPA 1404 Chapter 6 (cont.)
• A.6.6.2(7) The Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AFD) should not permit
respirators with tight fitting facepieces to
be worn by members who have facial hair
that comes between the sealing surface of
the facepiece and the face or that
interferes with valve function, or any
condition that interferes with the
facepiece-to-face seal or valve function.

Conditions that Require Respiratory
Protection
• SCBA must be used:
– In enclosed areas where there is smoke
– During overhaul until the air has been tested
and deemed safe by the safety officer
– Whenever toxic gases or an oxygen-deficient
atmosphere is possible
– Golden rule: Always assume that the
atmosphere is hazardous until it has
been tested and proven to be safe

AFD SOG’s on SCBA
Investigative Mode
-SCBAs and facepieces will be carried and ready
for use when responding in the following
investigative modes:
• Nothing showing
•When investigating suspicious odor calls
•When ascending stairs or using elevators during a
high-rise response incident
•When determined necessary by the company
officer

AFD SOG’s on SCBA
• Removal of SCBAs
• The decision to remove SCBA shall be made by
the Incident Commander.
• Use the Hazmat Squad ’s detection equipment
to monitor for Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• All AFD personnel will continue to utilize SCBAs
during overhaul and investigative operations
until Haz-Mat personnel have monitored the
atmosphere and received a reading of 120 ppm
or less of CO.

SCBA Inspection and Maintenance
• It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that
the SCBA is in ready condition before it is
returned to the fire apparatus.
• Only properly trained and certified
personnel are authorized to repair SCBA
beyond daily maintenance.

Readiness SCBA Check (1 of 2)
• Check that air cylinder has at least 90% of
its rated pressure – 4000 psi.
• If the SCBA has a donning/doffing switch,
be sure that it is activated.
• Open the cylinder valve two or three
turns, listen for the low-air alarm to
sound, and then open the valve fully.

Readiness SCBA Check (2 of 2)
• Check that pressure gauges on both the
regulator and cylinder read within 100 psi
of each other.
• Check that all harness straps are fully
extended.
• Check that all valves are in the correct
position.
– An open bypass valve will waste air. Ensure
valve is turned clockwise.

SCBA Storage
• Most SCBAs are now mounted in riding
positions.
• Ensure SCBA is secured properly with
straps while in vehicle seats.

Donning
• Fire fighters must be able to don and
activate SCBA wearing full PPE.
(Right click on picture and choose “Open Hyperlink” )

Perform a seal check
• Place hand over opening on face piece.
• Inhale to ensure proper seal.
• Adjust straps on face piece as necessary.
• Recheck seal
• Proper seal will extend air supply.

Doffing
• Place SCBA back in service
– Refill cylinder
– Perform SCBA readiness check
– Properly document SCBA log
– Secure SCBA properly to mount

AFD Documentation Form
• The DRIVER of each apparatus in the Operations
division shall be responsible for the unit’s SCBA and
shall check the condition of the SCBA at the beginning of
the shift, after each use, and at any other time it may be
necessary to render the equipment in a ready state of
condition.
• The DRIVER will also be held responsible for completing
and maintaining the appropriate documentation as
necessary. Company officers shall assign a specific
SCBA to each crew member. Each crew member will be
responsible for the proper use and function of that
SCBA.

Cleaning and Sanitizing SCBA
(1 of 2)
• Rinse entire unit using a hose with clean
water.
• Clean harness assembly and cylinder with
a mild soap and water solution.
• Clean face pieces and regulators with mild
soap and warm water or disinfectant
cleaning solution.

Disinfecting the Facepiece Mounted
Regulator (1 of 2)
• Air saver switch and purge valve should be
fully closed
• Spray at least 6 full pumps of Scott Multi-
Wash Mini into the regulator opening.
– Be sure to cover all internal components and
wet the area around the opening
• Shake out excess liquid

Disinfecting the Facepiece Mounted
Regulator (2 of 2)
• ALLOW 10 MINUTES OF CONTACT TIME
BEFORE RINSING
• Rinse with softly running water
• Shake out excess water
• Dry Completely before use

Disinfecting the Facepiece
• Wash facepiece with warm water
• Spray 3 full pumps of Scott Multi-Wash
Mini on the outside of the facepiece and 3
full pumps on the inside of the facepiece.
– Be sure to wet entire mask
• ALLOW 10 MINUTES CONTACT TIME
• Rinse with running water
• Dry with a soft cloth

Emergency Breathing Procedures
In the case of a malfunction or air supply
depletion, the most important single rule
to remember and apply is Do Not Remove
Your Facepiece!

Skip-Breathing Technique
• Skip-breathing helps conserve air.
• Take a short breath, hold, take a second
short breath (do not exhale in between
breaths).
• Relax with a long exhale.
• Each breath should take 5 seconds.

Preparing for Emergency Situations
• Be prepared to react if an emergency
occurs while using SCBA.
• Keep calm, stop, and think.
• Exit the hostile environment.
• If in danger, activate your PASS.
• Use your hand light to attract attention.
• Use a portable radio to call for help.
• Most important – PRACTICE and TRAIN

SCBA Regulator Operation
• Emergency by-pass
mode (Purge valve)
– Releases a constant
flow of breathing air
into the face piece
– Used only if the
regulator malfunctions
– Activated when the
user turns on the redcolored
emergency
by-pass valve

Regulator Failure
• Failure in the “open” position
– Close the cylinder valve
• Push in and turn clockwise
– Crack the valve only enough to breathe
• Open, breathe, close; repeat sequence as needed
– Notify your crew members
– Entire crew exits the building together

(Right click on picture and choose “Open Hyperlink” )

Regulator Failure
• Failure in the “closed” position
– Crack the purge valve
• Open, breathe, close; repeat sequence as needed
– Notify your crew members
– Entire crew exits the building together

(Right click on picture and choose “Open Hyperlink” )

Air Supply Depleted
• Remove regulator from facepiece
• Cover opening with gloved hand or flash
hood
• Notify your crew members
• Entire crew exits the building together

Complete SCBA Failure
• Remove regulator from facepiece
• Cover opening with gloved hand or flash
hood
• Notify your crew members
• Entire crew exits the building together

Broken or punctured facepiece
• Hold a gloved hand over the damaged
area to slow air loss
• Notify your crew members
• Entire crew exits the building together

Restricted Area Maneuvers
• Low Profile Maneuver
• SCBA Removal/Bottle Feed Maneuver

Low Profile Maneuver
• Loosen and remove right shoulder strap
• Loosen waist belt
• Grasp the waist belt and cylinder neck and
shift the entire unit under the left arm
• Check integrity of floor on other side of
opening
• Proceed through the restricted passage
with SCBA first

(Right click on picture and choose “Open Hyperlink” )

SCBA Cylinder Removal and Feed
• Loosen and undo waist belt
• Loosen and remove right shoulder strap
• Loosen and remove the left shoulder strap
• Maintain grasp of shoulder straps/cylinder
• Do not lose contact with the SCBA
• Check integrity of floor ahead of you
• Feed SCBA through the opening and then
pass through the opening yourself

(Right click on picture and choose “Open Hyperlink” )

Entanglements
• Swim technique
• SCBA removal technique
• Cutting yourself free of entanglements
• Last resort techniques

Removing Entanglements
• Stay calm!!!
• Make contact with the entanglement
• Remove the entanglement

Swim Technique
• Upon feeling resistance, stop forward
motion
• DO NOT attempt to “bull through”
entanglement
• Initiate the swim
• Complete a full forward swim stroke
• If contact is not made swim with the other
arm

Swim Technique (continued)
• Next, rotate the torso and swim through
the “blind spot” with the right arm
• Repeat with the left arm
• Once you have identified all
entanglements, remove the entanglement
over your head

SCBA Removal Technique
• Remove SCBA as in the bottle feed
technique and attempt to remove the
entanglement
• If unsuccessful try cutting SCBA free
• If unable to get free report a “May-Day”
and request a RIT rescue
• Stay calm and conserve air

Buddy Breathing
• Often turns single fatality into a
multiple fatality
• If a crew member runs out of air the best
course of action is to get him/her to an
area of safe refuge immediately
• Initiate a “May-Day” and request a RIT

Drills
• All drills will be evaluated by a supervisor
• Skill sheets will be properly documented
• Mandatory skills in order:
– Readiness SCBA Check
– Don SCBA
– Reduced Profile – Put SCBA back on
– Complete removal – Put SCBA back on
– Activate PASS Device/Deactivate PASS Device

Comprehensive Test
• Complete test
• 70% or better is passing