Did this drill last month and they didn't teach us this technique. We were taught to lay the vitim face down, pick him up so he's facing the window. one ff ducks between the victim and the wall and lifts him over his head while the other ff lifts him out. But i think I'm going to bring this technique forward, seems much easier and that it will take less strength
The best thing you can do for a down firefighter is get them out as quickly as possible, and this video provides a technique which allows 2 firefighters to do so.
What matters is that in as little as 4 minutes without air, the down firefighter will begin to incur permanent brain damage. We need to remove the down firefighter NOW in order to perform a rescue and not a recovery. Rope systems, backboards, etc. should be considered contingency plans and put into place for a recovery while the rescue is being attempted.
In short, yeah you could. If you’re not careful, if you drop the firefighter from a great enough distance and provide enough torsion in the neck, there is potential to injure a firefighter. We could arm-chair this and figure out that it takes as little as 168 newtons to fracture the c-spine (given the positioning, way the force is applied, etc.) but it doesn’t really matter.
The nice thing about this technique is the fact that you don't have to hook up a harness, ropes, or any mechanical-advantage system. The point of the technique is to keep it simple in order to get the victim out as fast as possible. Any extra steps/firefighters added just takes more time that we don't need to waste. Simply using the PPE the firefighter is currently wearing is sufficient with this technique.
The only modification I have found that may be helpful is connecting the waistbelt between the legs when performing the drill when the feet are facing the window. Sometimes the bottle can slip up the torso if the waist-strap is not tight or connected between the legs. With a little practice, you can overcome this too by placing one arm in the crotch to finish the lift
We have a few people on the department that are not that big, and they have lifted some of the heaviest members. The key to emphasize, especially with these members, is to do all the lifting with the legs. One explosive dead-lift to get the hips to the window sill is all it takes. It is going to be more of a struggle, but even the members that are 150 lbs should be able to squat double their weight to get out those 300 pound guys.
While I think this is a very fast and effective method, recognize that this is not the only method. If you have a 350+ pound person (including gear) trapped in a confined space with high heat and a nearby floor collapse and rescuers struggling, start implementing plan B and C even before plan A fails.
As was the case with Langvardt, his gear was getting caught in the shelves nearby, and using these techniques may not have helped, especially when you can't see what the victim is caught on. This is a good drill, but don't get caught in the tunnel-vision that this is the only way to get the victim out. It's just a first step. Unfortunately if it doesn't work, it quickly becomes a recovery instead of a rescue.
@DFDFire - Our department in Cody WY puts on a Fire School every year (500+students) and Denver FF's come up and do a class on this drill. I have helped them teach this technique for 3 years. - I AM 6'8" AND 300lbs WITHOUT GEAR!! They can always horse my monstrous ass out the window. Effective technique.
Outstanding job brothers! I can't agree more about the philosophy of doing more with less. Out of curiosity, what is the heaviest FF/Victim you have used when performing this technique? We have one brother on the job that is 6' - 8" tall and 300+ lbs WITHOUT gear. Our smallest FFs are just over 5 feet and weigh in around 140- 150lbs - I think they would struggle tremendously. Any thoughts on the 2 FF technique for smaller rescuers and larger victims in this scenario?
We have practiced this drill every year since it came out. We pratice both ways and this year I have asked to use the DRD to find out if it makes it easier and faster.
As far as I know, the DRD is only for horizontal drags, not for lifting the firefighter up, so you should never try to use the DRD for this drill.
Something easy, fast and more safe to do is to use a rescue webbing loop to create a harness for the downed FF (It's way better than using the SCBA like an harness).
Did this drill last month and they didn't teach us this technique. We were taught to lay the vitim face down, pick him up so he's facing the window. one ff ducks between the victim and the wall and lifts him over his head while the other ff lifts him out. But i think I'm going to bring this technique forward, seems much easier and that it will take less strength
crittergabis 2 months ago
Very good video. North Washington Fire has a great way to do the same thing. Hind sight is always 20/20 . RIP Mark
wookie15usfs 1 year ago
The best thing you can do for a down firefighter is get them out as quickly as possible, and this video provides a technique which allows 2 firefighters to do so.
DFDFire 1 year ago
What matters is that in as little as 4 minutes without air, the down firefighter will begin to incur permanent brain damage. We need to remove the down firefighter NOW in order to perform a rescue and not a recovery. Rope systems, backboards, etc. should be considered contingency plans and put into place for a recovery while the rescue is being attempted.
DFDFire 1 year ago
In short, yeah you could. If you’re not careful, if you drop the firefighter from a great enough distance and provide enough torsion in the neck, there is potential to injure a firefighter. We could arm-chair this and figure out that it takes as little as 168 newtons to fracture the c-spine (given the positioning, way the force is applied, etc.) but it doesn’t really matter.
DFDFire 1 year ago
couldnt u snap his neck by doing this
jgolf91 1 year ago
The nice thing about this technique is the fact that you don't have to hook up a harness, ropes, or any mechanical-advantage system. The point of the technique is to keep it simple in order to get the victim out as fast as possible. Any extra steps/firefighters added just takes more time that we don't need to waste. Simply using the PPE the firefighter is currently wearing is sufficient with this technique.
DFDFire 1 year ago
The only modification I have found that may be helpful is connecting the waistbelt between the legs when performing the drill when the feet are facing the window. Sometimes the bottle can slip up the torso if the waist-strap is not tight or connected between the legs. With a little practice, you can overcome this too by placing one arm in the crotch to finish the lift
DFDFire 1 year ago
We have a few people on the department that are not that big, and they have lifted some of the heaviest members. The key to emphasize, especially with these members, is to do all the lifting with the legs. One explosive dead-lift to get the hips to the window sill is all it takes. It is going to be more of a struggle, but even the members that are 150 lbs should be able to squat double their weight to get out those 300 pound guys.
DFDFire 1 year ago
While I think this is a very fast and effective method, recognize that this is not the only method. If you have a 350+ pound person (including gear) trapped in a confined space with high heat and a nearby floor collapse and rescuers struggling, start implementing plan B and C even before plan A fails.
DFDFire 1 year ago
As was the case with Langvardt, his gear was getting caught in the shelves nearby, and using these techniques may not have helped, especially when you can't see what the victim is caught on. This is a good drill, but don't get caught in the tunnel-vision that this is the only way to get the victim out. It's just a first step. Unfortunately if it doesn't work, it quickly becomes a recovery instead of a rescue.
DFDFire 1 year ago
I encourage you to train with the biggest victims so if you do end up in this situation, you will be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Thanks for all the comments! Hope this helps
DFDFire 1 year ago
@DFDFire - Our department in Cody WY puts on a Fire School every year (500+students) and Denver FF's come up and do a class on this drill. I have helped them teach this technique for 3 years. - I AM 6'8" AND 300lbs WITHOUT GEAR!! They can always horse my monstrous ass out the window. Effective technique.
gunsandhoses 10 months ago
Outstanding job brothers! I can't agree more about the philosophy of doing more with less. Out of curiosity, what is the heaviest FF/Victim you have used when performing this technique? We have one brother on the job that is 6' - 8" tall and 300+ lbs WITHOUT gear. Our smallest FFs are just over 5 feet and weigh in around 140- 150lbs - I think they would struggle tremendously. Any thoughts on the 2 FF technique for smaller rescuers and larger victims in this scenario?
FFDGP 2 years ago
We have practiced this drill every year since it came out. We pratice both ways and this year I have asked to use the DRD to find out if it makes it easier and faster.
riir79 2 years ago
Have you ever done this technique using the DRD? how much of a difference can it make? Good historical footage of the fire.
cavelzen 2 years ago
As far as I know, the DRD is only for horizontal drags, not for lifting the firefighter up, so you should never try to use the DRD for this drill.
Something easy, fast and more safe to do is to use a rescue webbing loop to create a harness for the downed FF (It's way better than using the SCBA like an harness).
Be safe!
sleepwalkingfall 2 years ago
I can't say I have ever seen this technique used before on this drill... Very interesting.
wmi0405 3 years ago
Ya I second that. But great instructions.
RoguePhoenix6 2 years ago