The Denver Drill (Part 2)

Denver Firefighters show the original video of the Langvardt fire, tell their story of what happened and demonstrate the Denver Drill. Firefighters say that if guys like Dan Metherd couldn't pull Langvardt out, nobody could, so it's important to remember that technique is the key. Also noted in the video is Cheif Dave McGrail who co-authored the Fire Engineering article shortly after the event. I made this video so that firefighters across the country could see and hear the story from people that were actually there. I encourage firefighters to train and try this method if they haven't already. If you have any questions you can contact Captain Murphy at robert.murphy@denvergov.org or myself at dfdfireman@gmail.com.

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• Denver
• Drill
• Rescue
• Langvardt
• box
• RIT
• training
• Fire
• Department
• Dept.
• 5280
• Rapid
• Intervention
• Team
• RIC
• crew

[DFDFire]

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]

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]

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.

[crittergabis]

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

[gunsandhoses]

@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.

[wookie15usfs]

Very good video. North Washington Fire has a great way to do the same thing. Hind sight is always 20/20 . RIP Mark

[jgolf91]

couldnt u snap his neck by doing this

[DFDFire]

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]

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]

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.