Some SCBA Questions for Review

This week I am going to try a different approach to the training bulletin. I am using the Essentials of Firefighting Manual 4th Edition and I will pose the following questions. If you can answer them fine, but the point is use these as the basis for a drill for your people. We will do some detailed SCBA training in further bulletins but this is a little thought primer and review.

• How much variation is accepted as a difference between a remote gauge and the cylinder gauge? Do you always check cylinder gauge before donning?

• Name one situation where you should use the purge valve? ( And its not to clear your mask either!)

• Approximately how many seconds does it take for a PASS device to activate?

• How often are you supposed to retain on PASS devices? When was the last time you were trained on yours?

• What percentage of cylinder capacity is considered full? What is the psi?

• How often should scba be inspected? Have you read NFPA 1500 and 1404?

• How do you clean and dry a facepiece?

• How often do composite air cylinders have to be tested? What are the hydrostatic test dates on your cylinders?

• How long should it take you to don an SCBA and be fully dressed in turnout gear ready to go? How long does it actually take?