donning and doffing scba firefighter i. copyright © texas education agency 2013. all rights...

Donning and Doffing SCBAFirefighter I

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Donning and Doffing SCBA

• Most common methods (IFSTA, 2008)– The over-the-head method– The coat method– Donning from a seat– Donning from rear mount or compartment mount

• The wearer should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local standard operating procedures (SOPs) for donning his or her specific SCBA unit


Donning and Doffing SCBA (continued)

• SCBA checks to complete at shift change or prior to donning the unit include:– Check the air cylinder gauge to ensure that it is full

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1404: Standard for Fire Service Respiratory Protection Training

• NFPA 1404 Standard recommends that a minimum of 90% of the cylinder’s rated capacity is a full cylinder

– Check the remote gauge and the cylinder gauge• Ensure that the gauges read within 100 psi of the same

pressure• Ensure that gauges not marked in increments of 100 psi are the

same



• SCBA checks to complete at shift change or prior to donning the unit include: (continued)– Check the harness assembly and the facepiece to

ensure that all of the straps are fully extended– Operate all the valves• Ensure that they operate properly• Ensure that they are in the correct position

– Check the personal alert safety system (PASS) device manually for proper operation



• Donning SCBA from a storage case or apparatus compartment– The specific SCBA manufacturer’s

recommendations for donning and use of the SCBA should always be followed

– Over-the-head method– Coat method


Over-the-head Method

• Position the SCBA with the valve end of the cylinder away from the user

• Open the cylinder valve fully• Check the cylinder and the remote pressure gauges– Pressure readings must be within 100 psi– Needles on both gauges indicate the same pressure for

gauges without 100 psi increments

• Raise the SCBA overhead while guiding your elbows into the loops formed by the shoulder straps


Over-the-head Method (continued)

• Release the harness assembly and allow the SCBA to slide down your back

• Fasten the chest strap, buckle the waist strap, and adjust the shoulder straps

• Don the facepiece and check the facepiece seal• Connect the air supply to facepiece• Activate the PASS device if it is not integrated

in the system• Don the hood, the helmet, and the gloves


Coat Method

• Position the SCBA with the valve end of the cylinder away from the user

• Open the cylinder valve fully• Check the cylinder and the remote pressure gauges

– Pressure readings must be within 100 psi– Needles on both gauges indicate the same pressure for gauges

without 100 psi increments

• Grasp the top of the left shoulder strap on the SCBA with your left hand and raise the SCBA overhead

• Guide your left elbow through the loop formed by the left shoulder strap and swing the SCBA around your left shoulder


Coat Method (continued)

• Guide your right arm through the loop formed by the right shoulder strap allowing the SCBA to come to rest in the proper position

• Fasten the chest strap, the buckle waist strap, and adjust the shoulder straps

• Don the facepiece and check the facepiece seal• Connect the air supply to the facepiece• Activate the PASS device if it is not integrated in the

system• Don the hood, the helmet, and the gloves


Donning Seat-mounted SCBA• Firefighters can don SCBA while en route to an incident• It must be performed safely without the firefighter unbuckling his

or her seatbelt• Three main types of seat-mounting hardware are

– Lever clamp– Spring clamp– Flat hook

• Facepiece should be in a quick-opening bag to protect it from dust and scratches

• Do not keep the facepiece connected to the regulator during storage– These parts must be separate in order to check for a proper facepiece seal


Donning Seat-mounted SCBA (continued)

• Procedure to don seat-mounted SCBA– Open the cylinder valve fully– Check the cylinder and the remote gauge readings

• Pressure readings must be within 100 psi• Needles on both gauges indicate the same pressure for gauges

without 100 psi increments

– Position your body in the seat with your back firmly against the SCBA and release the SCBA hold-down device

– Insert your arms through the shoulder straps– Fasten the chest straps, buckle the waist strap, and adjust

the shoulder straps


Donning Seat-mounted SCBA (continued)

• Procedure to don seat-mounted SCBA (continued)– Fasten your seat belt before the apparatus moves– Don the facepiece and check the facepiece seal– Connect the air supply to the facepiece when you are

ready to use it– Activate the PASS device manually if it is not integrated

in the system– Don the hood, the helmet, and the gloves

• Exit the fire apparatus carefully to avoid slips or falls due to the extra weight on your back


Donning SCBA from a Side or Rear Mount• Takes more time than the seat-mounted SCBA• Reduces the chances of slips and falls• Saves time compared to SCBA stored in the carrying case due

to the elimination of the following steps– Removing the equipment case from the fire apparatus– Placing it on the ground– Opening the case– Picking up the unit to don

• Because these units are exposed to weather and physical damage, waterproof covers are desirable

• Donning steps are similar to seat-mounted units because firefighters only have to back into them


Donning from a Compartment or a Back-up Mount• Compartment mounts present the same advantages as side

or rear-mounted units• Some disadvantages

– Some compartments are too high to back into– Some compartment doors may interfere with donning

• Back-up mounts provide quick access to SCBA• If back-up mounts are too high, they need to be removed

and donned using the over-the-head method or the coat method

• Back-up units at the right height can be donned similarly to the seat-mounted units


Donning the Facepiece• Important differences between facepieces

– Some use a rubber harness with adjusting straps– Some use a mesh skullcap with adjusting straps– Some have a different number of adjusting straps– The regulator may attach in different ways

• May attach to the facepiece• May be mounted on the waist belt

• Interchanging facepieces, or any other part of the SCBA, from one manufacturer’s equipment to another voids any warranty and certification (IFSTA, 2008)

• NFPA 1500 requires that each firefighter be fitted with a facepiece that conforms properly to the shape and size of his or her face


Donning the Facepiece:General Considerations• Ensure that no hair comes between your skin and the

sealing surface of the facepiece• Place your chin in the center of the chin cup and center

the harness at the back of your head• Tighten the facepiece straps by pulling them evenly and

simultaneously– Remember that pulling the straps outward may damage them– Tighten the straps in this order

• The lower straps• The temple straps• The top strap (if present)


Donning the Facepiece:General Considerations (continued)

• Check the facepiece for proper seal and operation– Ensure that the exhalation valve is functioning

properly– Ensure that all connections are secure– Ensure that the donning mode switch (if present) is

in the proper position



• Check the positive pressure by gently breaking the facepiece seal– Insert two fingers under the edge of the facepiece– Confirm that you feel air moving past your fingers– If you cannot feel air movement, remove the unit

from service and tag it for repair



• Wear the hood over the facepiece harness or straps– All exposed skin must be covered– Vision must not be obstructed

• Wear the helmet with the chin strap secured


Doffing SCBA

• Doffing techniques differ for different types of SCBA• Actions that apply to all SCBA when doffing– Doffing SCBA Remove the backpack assembly while

protecting the regulator– Close the cylinder valve– Relieve pressure from the regulator in accordance with the

manufacturer’s instructions– Extend all of the straps– Refill or replace the cylinder– Clean and disinfect the facepiece


Doffing SCBA Skill (IFSTA, 2008)

• Remove the SCBA• Close the cylinder valve completely• Bleed air from the high- and low-pressure

hoses• Check the air cylinder pressure and replace the

cylinder if it has less than 90% of rated capacity

• Return all the straps, valves, and components back to the ready state


Doffing SCBA Skill (IFSTA, 2008)(continued)

• Inspect the SCBA and facepiece for damage and/or needed cleaning

• Clean the equipment as needed, remove the damaged equipment from service, and report it to an officer, if applicable

• Place the SCBA back into the storage area so that it is ready for immediate use


Resources

• 0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations (5th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), 2008.

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