Hoseline = Lifeline !

Some recent drills I have conducted have brought to light an alarming lack of basic knowledge of how to follow a hose line to safety.

This simple skill should be practiced by all firefighters under a variety of blackout mask or simulated smoke conditions, using the gloved hand.

A simple drill involves leading firefighters into an area where there is a large amout of charged hose that has been laid out circled, and twisted about. Put the firefighter on a hoseline somewhere in the middle and let them "read" the couplings with blackout mask and gloved hand to find their way to safety.

The training and reinforcement of this simple drill might someday save a life and get a firefighter out of trouble.

REMEMBER!

WHEN 2 LENGTHS OF HOSE ARE CONNECTED, AT THE MALE/FEMALE COUPLING, THE MALE BUTT IS CLOSEST TO THE FIRE ENGINE AND FRESH AIR! Reference - IFSTA Essentials fourth edition page 181.

The Male coupling has lugs on its shank, the female does not.

If you feel two lugs, (one on the female and one on the male )

remember the saying...

LONG LUG OUT !

Using the following diagram tell which way would get you to safety on the outside.