BY ERIK ROADFELDT
Several years ago, I was in a tactics class when the instructor posed an interesting question: “How long does a 30-minute SCBA bottle last?” We all took turns answering. “Thirty minutes,” said one student. “Twenty minutes,” said another. “Ten minutes, if you are really working,” offered a third. “Nope,” said the instructor, “The answer is 90 minutes. I have done it myself.” We shifted in our chairs, disbelieving.
Fast-forward five years. I am in an SCBA class reviewing the use and care of our equipment. At the end of the training session, the training officer gives us an assignment—breathe down a bottle of air until empty. We can sit, walk, read the paper, whatever. Suddenly, I remember that instructor’s question—how long does a bottle last? I grab my SCBA and a chair, pop a training video in the VCR, and go to work. I try to breathe slowly and easily. Thirty minutes go by, and I wait for the alarm. Nothing happens. I check my gauge. It shows three-quarters full. That can’t be right. Finally, an hour passes. My alarm has still not activated. I put another training video in the VCR and hit the play button. Maybe that instructor was right. As I approach the 90-minute mark, I start to feel competitive—like I am on a mission to break some kind of record. The 90-minute mark comes and goes, and still no alarm. Is it broken? I am now on my third training video and have been on air for an hour and 45 minutes. At last, my alarm begins sounding. Good. My neck is getting sore. To my surprise, the bottle lasts an additional 20 minutes. Then, the alarm slowly quiets and stops. I still have air, but there is not enough pressure to drive the alarm. I know that there is little time left. Once again, I am proven wrong. Fifteen minutes pass by, and I still have air! Then, 19 minutes after the alarm stopped, my final breath pulls the mask against my face, and I disconnect. It has been two hours and 24 minutes. Unbelievable.
Does this experiment mean anything for the fire service? Yes and no. Usually when we wear our SCBA we are working, not sitting in a chair. And when a low-air alarm sounds, we walk outside and get a fresh bottle. Am I suggesting that we should stay in a hostile environment longer? Of course not. However, there may come a time when you become trapped or disorientated and all that remains is the air on your back. By remaining calm and breathing carefully, just like you were taught in rookie firefighter class, you may be able to buy the time you need to survive.
Ah, but you say rookie firefighter class was a long time ago. Well, let’s review. According to IFSTA’s Essentials of Firefighting, Fourth Edition, there are two recommended breathing techniques—controlled breathing and skip breathing. Controlled breathing is breathing slowly in through the nose, out through the mouth. Skip breathing involves first calming down—both mentally and physically. Then, you breathe in, hold for what would be a normal exhale, and then breathe in more and then slowly exhale. Controlled breathing is recommended during normal SCBA use; skip breathing is recommended for emergency air conservation. Both methods conserve air by helping you regulate your breathing. The key is to breathe slowly and steadily—giving your lungs time to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The problem here is that few people realize what’s possible with these techniques. I didn’t believe that a 30-minute bottle could last more than two hours—I had to try it myself. You may feel the same way. That’s why it is important to practice these breathing techniques now, before you end up in an air management predicament.
When you have some extra time at the station, put on your SCBA. Practice under different conditions—at rest, during physical activity, and then a combination of the two. You may get some funny looks, but so what? Become familiar with how long you have from the moment your low-air alarm starts until your bottle is completely empty. Reacquaint yourself with your SCBA. You’ll be glad you did.
ERIK ROADFELDT, a 10-year veteran of the fire service, is a firefighter with the Duluth (MN) Fire Department and has taught numerous classes on SCBA during his career.
