Chapter 4
Donning and Doffing
84
SAFETY FIRS T
Edition 1 – December 2019
MSA G1 Classic Breathing Apparatus
Safety consideration when performing buddy breathing
During buddy breathing movement towards safety must be coordinated.
The firefighter being rescued (receiver) should follow the lead of the
firefighter supplying air (provider).
BA operators must ensure that they do not get their buddy breathing hose
entangled in objects and must move in a coordinated fashion so that they
do not pull each other off-balance.
BA operators must remember that it is extremely difficult for two people to
leave a hazardous atmosphere quickly while buddy breathing and
simultaneously consuming air at a faster rate. Most problems with any
form of buddy breathing take place while operators are attempting to move
towards safety.
The risk of both the provider and receiver exhausting their air supplies is a
possibility associated with buddy breathing. What starts out as a rescuer-
victim relationship ends up a victim-victim relationship, as the shared air
supply is exhausted before exiting is possible.
It is for this reason operators should recognise and react to potential
situations that could disorient, entangle, entrap or injure themselves.
Buddy breathing is a last resort emergency procedure.
Buddy breathing connection valves
may
rarely have cause for the valve to
jam in the “open” position, allowing air to flow between 6 to 8 bar at up to
700 litres per minute depending on size of leak.
If the valve jams in the “open” position, re-insert and dis-connect up to
three times to try and re-seat the valve. If the valve has not re-seated,
place the dust cap over leaking valve and hold as tight as possible to
reduce air flow and
immediately
make way to fresh air.
A replacement wearer should enter to provide assistance to the casualty if
still required.
