Unusual training

No, but it sounds very cool and I am sure that it helps you develop a sense of rationalization about how to react in any emergency. I would think that the tools you learn can be applied in many other situations.

Those plastic hoods for fire escape can be a problem. I was told that typically before you can get them on you start coughing. Since the hood requires you to put a mouth piece on by clamping it in your teeth it is typical you end up coughing it out of your mouth. The yellow ones are probably the hardest ones because you can't see very well through them. But if it was very, very dark I guess it doesn't matter. ;-)

O_O Dang sounds like alot of fun and work too. And you got to learn some valuable skills. All I get for training at work is CPR.

Basic fire training is a bit of fun, too.

• Faced with a burning hay-bale and a water-CO₂ extinguisher, put it out.
• Faced with a burning pool of liquid and a foam extinguisher, put it out. (Different technique)
• Faced with a burning pool of liquid and a water-CO2 extinguisher, this is what happens - whoooosh! ↑ - don't do it, Ethel.
• Faced with a small burning pool of liquid and a dry powder extinguisher, put it out. (Different technique)
• Faced with a small fire and a dry CO₂ extinguisfer, put it out while not getting frostbite from the horn; remember, it's all gone in 15sec. (Different technique)

Highly recommended.

Yeah we did some of that too... I put out an engine block fire and an electrical fire...

You think its fun now, when it saves your life, you'll really going to appreciate that.

The smoke was to key a natural responce to its smell to produce panic.

Except, I had on a smoke hood that worked well, so I never smelled any smoke....

Must had a very good respirator most do not eliminate all the odors. I remember the training for tear gas in the Navy. Was okay until they told you to take off the mast. Then made you stand there in the test chamber and endure it for a while.

How'd you accomplish THAT!? If they told me to remove MY mast, I'd-uh quit!

Except for the Helicopter escape, it is a small part of annual refresher training in the Navy

Same same RAN.

One thing that they brought in after the "Melbourne" "Voyager" collision in 1964 was helicopter rescue.

On the night of the collision several helos were launched to assist in rescue operations. They only rescued one survivor, other men in the water waved them away because of the rotor downdraft. Something that was learned through a very painful experience in which 64 shipmates lost their lives.

The only training I ever received was CPR.

There was this dummy (no, not a person. a mannequin ) that we had to "bring back to life". We were taught the basics like clearing the person's mouth and throat, tilting the head and the five chest compressions and one breath bit.

I was the one to give the life-giving breath.

I was properly positioned and waited for the end of the five compressions and put my mouth onto the dummy's mouth. Unfortunately, the instructor had neglected to tell us that the guy doing the compressions needs to rest while I blow. 'Next thing I knew I was getting a lungful of the dummy's air into my own lungs! Sure felt like I was the dummy in that exercise!

It sounds like the mandatory course that they make people take who have been hired to work on oil platforms off the east coast of Canada. They are transported by helicopter so the helicopter escape thing is important. Because the engines and gear boxes are at the top of the helicopters they are quite top heavy and will invert themselves when they hit the water, that is why the training is done with the passenger compartment up side down.

They also take a bunch of training using life rafts and survival suits and how to link up in the water if they don't have a raft.

Always liked the pool exercises best with the fire fighting coming close second. HUET can be kinda disconcerting when some lard ass is between you and the door/window but a swift kick can help this move along just fine.....

Reminds me my BOSIET is due refreshing noxt time home.

I now have 4 years before my BOSIET/OLF is due....

I agree, the worst run was sitting in the middle seat while the guy on the door fumbled with the latch.... It was only seconds, but it seemed to go on forever...

Philo, I didn't even think about it. Are you off shore right now? North Sea?

Happy for you you learned something new. There is always something to learn everyday and nothing goes to waste because, they get applicable when the time comes. i envy you. Imagine " The hardest runs were the ones where I was sitting in the middle seat, and had to wait for the guy on the door to get out before I could get out. All I could do was sit there upside down in the water and wait, and wait, and watch him have trouble with the handle, and wait.. Then the door opened and I pushed him out.... following close behind...."

Me knowing nothing and the guy in front too knowing nothing, me thinking he is doing right I would'nt even know when to push him. I'd be dead before he does something right and the 3rd guy after me. Poor guy, he's dead already. Good for you.

Big or small safety is safety. Saw once a video showing simple cutting wood on bench saw. when nearing the end use a stick to push else "minus" fingers. Wear ear plugs because ears drums are only things that cannot be replaced. you lose hearing you never get them back. Here in Pakistan helmets mandatory on bikes, yet 95% have helmets hanging on handle because they say it is too hot and couple lie dead with un-worn helmet beside.

Hi Steve,

Sounds fun and you got paid for it I suppose, that's even better.

The hood is to make you aware of its shortcomings. The feel and to have the experience. The smoke I suppose just prevents you from taking it off. All this training has to be done in practise as the text books just cannot prepare you for how it feels, panic, running out of breath (big oops) and any other glitch that will happen with these things.

Big part of these trainings should be the recap. You talking with the other "victims" is a great way of increasing the experience and learning beyond your own limits.

I used to do some of these when I worked on oil refineries as NDT engineer. Reading about it makes me wanna be there with you, enjoy it while you can.

P.s. did they make you sit through the most boring video of "safety" They did with us as a prep for the training. Never been so close to a voluntary lobotomy.

Hey Case, I was also an NDT engineer for a portion of my career. ASNT Level III certified in UT, MT, and PT. I did all my NDT work at nuclear power stations though...

There are always the boring videos....

The smoke filled room is used to experience the fact that during a fire you may be completely blinded or your sense of direction can be completely off. This is to teach you that you can and will find your way out if you do not panic and keep one hand on a wall and one sweeping in front of your face. Move slowly in case there are tripping hazards until you find an area you can identify and follow to safety. This also works well during power outages in confined spaces that emergency lights are out.

One of our excercises was to locate a man in a smoke filled room, extract him and perform CPR if necessary. He was in a SCBA so there was usually no reason for the CPR exept for training purposes.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus