Can firefighter instructors perform a simulated rescue after a live fire training exercise?
Tóm tắt
Two studies were undertaken to determine whether firefighter instructors are capable of performing a simulated rescue task after undertaking a live fire training exercise (LFTE) lasting approximately 40 min. In the first study, ten instructors performed two simulated rescue tasks in air at 19°C, involving dragging an 81-kg dummy for 15 m along a corridor and down two flights of stairs. The first rescue acted as a control (Rcontrol) and was conducted when they were euhydrated and normothermic. The second task was undertaken 10.4 (3.3) min [mean (SD)] after a LFTE resulting in an average rectal temperature of 38.1 (0.4)°C (Rhot). All instructors were able to successfully complete Rcontrol and Rhot in 90.1 (28.6) s and 78.7 (15.6) s respectively. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were higher after the LFTE [162 (16) beats min−1 versus 180 (15) beats min−1; and 13.3 (2.4) versus 15.7 (2.1), respectively, P<0.001]. In the second study, six instructors (one instructor participated twice giving seven trials) undertook a simulated rescue task in 16°C involving dragging an 85-kg dummy along a flat surface 79 (65) s after a LFTE that increased rectal temperature to 38.3 (0.7)°C. On six occasions the instructor was able to successfully complete the full 30-m drag in 41.7 (6.9) s and one instructor dragged the dummy for 20 m before stopping through exhaustion. HR during the rescue task reached 173 (19) beats min−1 and RPE was 16.3 (2.4). In conclusion, most of the instructors were able to perform a rescue task after the LFTE, however they were close to their physical limit.
Tài liệu tham khảo
Ilmarinen R, Louhevaara V, Griefahn B, Kunemund C (1997) Thermal and cardiac strain in strenuous fire-fighting and rescue tasks in the extreme heat. In: Nielsen Johannsen B, Nielsen R (eds) Thermal Physiology, The August Krogh Institute, p 39
Williams BE, Petersen SR, Douglas K (1996) Physiological responses of training officers during live fire training. Fire Eng Sept:45–52