Firefighter SCBA donning - How to improve your "Mask Up" times

[@Admire]

Im a layman, but im very impressed at how much you think about the details.....I have quite a few friends who are firemen and im under the impression that its not like that everywhere....Great to see people who realise the importance of safety first.

[@garrettowens6314]

Thank you for the sharing these tips. As a rookie, finding advice that will aid in saving time on the fire scene is priceless.

[@7DragonSlayer7]

Best masking up video I have ever seen...9 seconds is incredible!!! When ur that quick you don't have to come off the truck on air! I will be passing this one on for sure, thanks for sharing all the great tips.

[@Mhops23]

Great video. Very informative. Why this isn't taught as basic SCBA donning still drives me nuts.

[@vesnamirkovich]

I only clicked on this video because I was looking up material on SCBA for a document I am editing, and I got so emotional watching that. I just wanted to say thank you and all firefighters for your courage, for your service, for putting yourselves on the line for others, for everything you do. Also, the fact that all of you are looking up and sharing extra tips with one another speaks to the fact that this isn't just a "job" to you. You really are passionate about what you do. Wish I could hug you all.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Thank you for your kind words Vesna!

[@engine2truck6]

Thank you for hiring us!

[@zaydee07]

Dale is a wonderful guy. I learned a lot from his videos. I hope you still remember me Dale, I was the one who told you I'm going to shift my career 3 years ago from Lifeguard to EMT and now a proffesional Firefighter :) thanks to you Dale! -From the Philippines

[@zaydee07]

Dale it's me Herdee :) haha :) Thanks! :)

[@nicholasbuchda2000]

zaydee07 she

[@jjmorabito9859]

I leaned this technique from the moment I saw this video.. It works excellent and I share it with fellow firefighters

[@julieglenn2350]

Nice ☺

[@MajicLaMa]

I never considered just loosening the helmet strap and letting it hang behind me. One of my problems is that i spend too long fidgeting with the clip. Thanks!

[@Shotgunbabe813]

Thank you sooooo much for this!!! I shaved 17 seconds off my donning time with your technique!!!

[@DALEGPEKEL]

My pleasure - Great to hear!

[@corysimpson3319]

I'm training my own daughter, so things like safety, simplicity, and effectiveness are super important. Nobody trains her but me....and now you. Thank you.

[@chambo9212]

I got my record time down to 5.8 seconds and I can consistently get under 7 seconds. I keep both of my gloves on. This is the most legit way to mask up. Dale, you’re a real one my brother. Thank you for the help.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

That's AWESOME! - Great job Bro - Proud of you!! I mask up with both gloves now as well and prefer it.

[@almostsk8terjamie]

I would recommend putting your thumbs through the wristlets on the end of your coat sleeves, I learned the hard way when my coat and glove separated in heavy heat conditions. I got a 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my left wrist all the way around (circumferential) because the wristlet was not on. Learn from my mistake. Thanks for the great video!!

[@RCFRFirefighter2000]

Great info. I'll definitely be practicing this and teaching it to my recruits. As instructors, the last quote is universal, because I've been preaching this to my recruits. Now, I see it on your videos. Keep up the great work. Semper Fi.

[@taglagable]

That neck strap is the goat. I’m buying one. Thanks for the show

[@TheJeffro451]

I’ve been a firefighter for 22 years and my whole world has now changed.

[@professorminstrels6460]

Great video with great tips. Managed to lower my time dramtically. Now at only 17 seconds.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Congrats!!

[@322batman]

Another great video from Dale Pekel. Thanks for these speeding tips! I'm the one that "searches" for the hood underneath coat/collar. Speaking of gloves - I'll definitely practice with single glove. I have convertible cuff gloves - Honeywell from Kangaroo skin, but Dave your Protech 8 is way to go. Our FD is Scott house and my face peace is without top straps - large size, medium has two. At least helmet technique as per your video I was doing it the same. I feel excited to practice 9 sec drill.

[@misterpi3.14]

Awesome video. I've been a firefighter for 10 years now, and I'm definately not this fast. I'm gonna try out these techniques.

[@michaelmonaghan2717]

Good man! There are some folks in the fire service that need to learn the concept of quick and efficient time management, and equipment skills! Good tutorial!

[@Harborman253]

excellent video. I will practice this and time myself. You are a credit to the fire service. sir.

[@jmbecker1122]

Awesome video man, can't wait till next shift to try this method out.

[@FFPM371]

Tried it today. I like it. I'll never do it my old way again.

[@michael7324]

Good tip on pre-sizing my helmet

[@ignaciovasquez792]

Awesome tips. Thank you for the advice, be safe

[@mihnic0504]

I can't wait to try do the helmet portion in the academy tomorrow. I'll share the video after.

[@azoresmarine]

Once again excellent teaching of an important evolution. Thanks

[@myriadcorp]

Great tip about the ratchet setting on the helmet. I always found it to be a pain in the ass going from normal settings to fire ground settings on my helmet. I plan to try the technique of putting the flaps in for normal settings and leaving my strap connected at full extension. Likewise, I am going to request a smaller strap for my MSA mask because I have a long one near the chin. A few months back I burned both sides of my face and I think it was due to the strap messing up my hood seal.

[@echo1712]

excellent video you explain very well and I learn to improve the mistakes that one usually makes, the technique is very useful. I have been practicing, our SCBA is a SCOTT NxG7 and our helmet is a Bullard PX with a face shield. Greetings from a firefighter from the Costa Rica Fire Department

[@ryancaseydotcom]

this donning technique is amazing. I am going to practice this and see if my instructors approve of using this for my test

[@incognito_1111]

Great video, I use the Cairns N6A without the ratchet. This helps to save time by simply pulling the earflaps out of the helmet and letting them drop around your head. The chinstrap is long and will allow for the helmet to drop behind the head, as shown in the video.

[@HitchcockJohn]

Well, here's another one I'll have to go back over once I get these essays out of the way. Knowing this technique will be extremely helpful.

[@HitchcockJohn]

DALE G. PEKEL I'll probably have some more somewhere down the line.

[@mikegobig]

Just a great and thoughtful video. Thank you. I appreciate all the tips.

[@2678918]

Great video! Thanks! Greetings from a firefighter from Chile!

[@owensweetland342]

Good, concise instructions. Doesn't get any better than that. Thanks 🤙😎✌

[@smokeater435]

Great video Dale. I was just going to go over this with our new guy next shift. I hang my helmet from my arm but I will revisit the "hunchback" helmet technique and see how it works. Thanks again and stay safe.

[@creeperjeeper94]

Will be using this video at my department! Awesome tips here! thanks for taking the time to put this together

[@breal104]

Great video and very informative. Thanks for the tips!

[@oldmordim]

great vids dale. every little element helps. awesome that it's helping other good souls.

[@Vindicatedact]

This is awesome information. Hoping you had one for turnout gear as well that went into little details like this.

[@FireFighter2404]

Again another great video! I refer to your videos often when I do training. keep up the good work .... Stay safe

[@MrElemem]

Another Great video! Thanks Dale! I wish I had seen this last night, I could have practiced it when my vol dept got dispatched to a truck fire early this morning. Either way this will help when I do me Level 1 practical this summer! Thanks! On a friendly side note - I was told by an instructor that MSA recommends against putting the harness out over the front of the mask. Not sure if its about stretching straps or scratching visor, but either way its manufacturer recommendation.

[@daveharms33]

Great stuff Cap- We will use this on our next tour of duty. Keep up the great work. Harms

[@lucasstewart4167]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you for sharing these ideas and techniques. I've often wondered about how to improve efficiency in this area for myself and others at my volunteer dept. I'll be sharing this with them at next practice! Thanks again.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Chase - I take my left glove off as the adjustment tab for my helmet strap is on the left - I'm actually right hand dominant.

[@josephlithgow5278]

+DALE G. PEKEL Hey Dale, where can I purchase the MSA short straps for my face piece my department only carries the longer MSA strap unfortunately.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Bendlin Fire Equipment in Bulter Wisconsin and 5 Alarm Fire and Safety in Delafield Wisconsin have been able to get them - Both companies have Websites: Ask for Fred Zimmerman at Bendlin and Curt Duchow at 5 Alarm - Drop my name and mention the video and they should be able to hook you up.

[@josephlithgow5278]

+DALE G. PEKEL Thanks a ton, all of you're videos are full of priceless information and I'm thankful that you're willing to share your knowledge for guys like myself new to the fire service.

[@josephlithgow5278]

+DALE G. PEKEL neither of those two can ship new MSA gear out of the state of Wisconsin, is there any other place too get that strap? I don't think I know anyone in Wisconsin that could ship it too me either.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

I don't know of anyone else, but you could ask for a part number from either rep and then try contacting MSA directly

[@Heart.of.the.Hills_]

excellent channel and videos brother!

[@gdinunzio136]

This is bad ass. I've been preaching this since a class I took a few years ago. One tip I have for you fellas is to cut four small holes into your hood and snap it into your coat between the liner and shell of the coat (if your coat has snaps there). It works and it saves tons of time and you'll never lose your hood. So when you're putting your coat on hood just falls over your head and don your coat. The hood then sits on the outside portion of the collar of your coat. Other tip that is spot on is pre-size the top straps on that mask to your head size. All you have to do is pull the bottom two. I can do this with gloves. Speaking of gloves store them both in same pocket or in a glove strap with palms facing each other. This way each time they come out or off they are ready to go! Awesome video thanks for sharing.

[@fire2676780]

Great video, and great tip on the MSA mask strap setup! Keep the videos coming.

[@SmokeEater04]

Great video! I been using a similar technique for years. Exspecially dropping the helmet over the back of my head.

[@smokemadbuds991]

Great video as usual, your information is priceless bro. Stay safe out there. Sooner or later i will have watched every video you have uploaded.

[@rieader21]

I always appreciate y'all's videos

[@nickflorian6703]

I think this video is immensely important. But of course, just like any other firefighter, I am a Monday morning quarterback as well. I really only have one criticism on this video. Not on the technique, as it is truly great and we should all look into this, or a variation of this that works for each individual, as he explained in the video, to improve our donning times. You can all fight me on this and I completely understand. I have no problem with it and am open to suggestions. This job is truly all about improvement on our tactics in the end. The benefit of the victim, taxpayers, homeowners, tenants, what have you, is our most important goal. Any tactic and improvement on our skills and routines should be at the most important of benefits those we serve. Okay, back to my point. I did this exact exercise around 15 times over. My times were around the 12 to 15 second mark on average, once I got the technique down. My fastest being about 10.6 seconds. Now, with that being said, I am, as of the date I write this, a 35 year old man, 15 year career veteran of a city and union dept. I am of average build and average physical condition, much like many of us firefighters out there. I noticed the faster I worked to make a faster time, the more energy I used and more stress I induced, and more air I needed, once my facepiece was on and breathing air from the bottle. In my experiences with removing victims, and I have had several (not a brag, it's really not a great moment as your stress levels are high and you don't know if they'll make it or not at that time) when you attempt to remove a victim say, from the second floor. Chances are they're in a bedroom, near a bed and wall, on the floor most often near a window. This creates, in my opinion, (again, not a fire God here, just a guy who understands and is decent at his job) a difficult and physically demanding situation for the rescuer. Now, as a career firefighter on a union dept with minimum manning in place (4 firefighters at all times) Chances are it will be myself, another firefighter, and the captain if he's not searching an additional space, attempting to remove this victim. With our operations, search is done by the Truck or Ladder Co. (TRUCK where I am from) and I will likely have already thrown a ladder or two, placed ground plates for the outriggers, forced a door, and crawled to the location of the victim. Long story short, I've used a lot of energy, and air. To the technique. In my personal opinion, practice and experience, slowing the donning routine from 9.5 seconds to about 12 to 15 seconds does a few things. 1. Gives you a second (literally 1 second or 2) to catch your breath. 2. Calm yourself and start to control your breathing so you can conserve energy for the search, be more mentally, audibly, and visually aware of your surroundings in order to perform a quick and thorough search, and most of all, 3. The conservation of energy in those seconds used by not hastily donning your mask in an overly quick manner just to shave off a few seconds, allows for three and possibly more things, 1. Better awareness during the search as you won't be gassed by the time you reach the search area or reach the possible victim. 2. More energy when it counts in case a victim is found and needs removal. You could be the only person in that room while the other 2 are searching addition rooms, or you could have less than desirable manpower and its up to you to get the victim to the window or area where you can recieve assistance. Getting the victim to a common area like a hallway or living room while the others finish their search and meet up with you, could be the difference in survival for that victim. Energy counts and we waste a lot of energy being overly hasty on things like mask donning, hyperventilating due to the stress of the incident, and carrying ladders and tools prior to beginning our searcg. 3. Victim removal. If it's an adult victim, it WILL be a 2 or more firefighter job. Dead weight of an unconscious victim, is very difficult to maneuver in even the easiest of situations. Regardless of what you see in Rescue Me or Backdraft, it's not that simple. However, like he said, practice does make perfect. Continue to practice your techniques and you can conserve energy while shaving time and being quick with donning. However, be sure your equipment is going on safely and properly. You do not want to enter a toxic environment with a poor seal on your mask. You will be of no help to anyone when you're breathing in toxic smoke and gasses, instead of air from your scba cylinder. Also, keep training. This video is for consideration and so are my comments. Practice what works for you and balance the line of speed and energy use. The people need us and this job is already physically demanding in the first minute of arrival. Stress and exiting can expend as much energy as working too fast to put your mask on. The more you do it, the better you'll be, and the less energy you'll use doing so. Also you'll find things that work for you that may not work for others. Keep vigilant, and stay safe!

[@otakurj]

Great stuff. I don't roll my curtain/flaps anymore becuase of the cancer and exposure concerns

[@whitneyjdodson]

Great tips. Thanks for the tactical advice.

[@lfakerson7703]

Bruh that was hella smooth at the beginning

[@mikeggg1979]

I need new gloves, when mine get wet it literally takes me 10 seconds to get them on, I think I might go a size bigger. The short straps is genius thank you!

[@Texasreiguy]

Good stuff again Dale... Keep em coming, and stay safe bro

[@jimratliff2753]

Good tips - I will try them. Thank you.

[@Marcio814]

Great video Dale,thanks for share. Stay safe !!

[@Probie18]

Awesome video, had a working fire since the first time I saw your video. Although I use Scott it worked out really good. Had an awesome hit on the fire and saved the house in the process.

[@sethnix6573]

thank u dale. hopefully those skills will help my response time

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Good luck my young brother!

[@ElderlyIron]

Well done Dale!

[@joshkelly449]

Great vid dale! Really good tips..I am a fan of masking up on the rig while responding. .but at my vol. Dept I usually have to mask up after I grab a pack off the rig already on scene. I will be using these tips in the future. . Stay safe brother. FTM EGH

[@carlosdelrioperagalo4118]

Good video, Dale. ; ) Thanks! All you do is really interesting, so continue doing it!

[@FireWolf5]

I would love to use this in my upcoming Firefighter 1 class to show the students how fast it can be done!!

[@firecastile1727]

Firefighter Dale, some great tips and tricks presented in a interesting and competent manner. Well done. Be safe.

[@aurita_mechita]

excelente¡¡¡ como siempre Gracias por compartir este entrenamiento Saludos dede Guayaquil-Ecuador BCBG excellent¡¡¡ as always Thanks for sharing this training greetings from Guayaquil-Ecuador BCBG

[@jdmfh47]

Awesome video. As usual.

[@ntfd125]

That's what my dad and the old school guys live by. They always say if their ears start to burn it's time to get out and the hold prevents this. They're making a hood now that let's you "feel" the heat better. A few guys are trying it out and so far like them. They're a lot more breathable then the standard nomex.

[@larsmuller4154]

Hi Dale Wickedly awesome tutorial. Thanks What kind of gloves are those Thanks Lars

[@hojnacki77]

Great video!! I know excatly what the next drill for my crews will be. Stay safe!

[@86medic1]

Never even thought to leave the helmet on like that. Im gonna give this a try

[@nurhanturky]

Thanks great video very informative

[@romang.esparza8703]

Great tutorial! Thank you!!!

[@cfdjr3]

Great tips can't wait to try them in training

[@bcsbeaverslew]

Great informational video. I will be using tricks.

[@gerrtheof]

Great vid ...good technics and very helpful like always!!!You've helped me alot to be better ,safer and more efficient firefighter ! Gerry from greece

[@awpatt]

Great video! Thank you. Sharing with my Dept.!

[@samryan1123]

Damn that was quick. I need to practice that.

[@zackerypugh1558]

Great techniques that im going to try I usally take my helmet off and unclick my regulator I usally get 20 seconds hopefully with some of these techniques I can shave some time off.

[@rwhyte85]

I don mine on the way to the call. Especially if dispatch relays that it is indeed on fire. Once I pull my line and drag it to the door, I go on air.

[@jasonwilliams3223]

And that is the correct way to do it... Off the rig and onto air. No need to take time putting a mask on that you should have already put on

[@mikep3008]

awesome video dale i will be doing this with my dept

[@Navs126]

Awesome video most informative video on youtube. Most definetly going to practice and use your tips. It would be a huge help if you could let me know where you got your short straps for your face piece I use a really old school Interspiro facepiece but possibly the MSA straps could be adjusted to work the the facepiece I'm currently using.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

One glove under knee is 🔥. Cant seem to get my helmet to cooperate but practice makes perfect..right👍

[@jaredwright5]

Great training video!

[@skwerldeath]

This was a great video! Subscribed. I just got my turnouts, and will be practicing. Thank you!!!

[@worldxvidal2583]

great video! which type of gloves are those?

[@alexbowman2693]

Thanks for the tip am a jr so any tips are great

[@200JLH]

Dale is the webbing on your mask something from MSA or is that one of your own modifications to the mask? I have found use these techniques at fire school and am way ahead of others in getting ready. Also it was funny to watch people to hunt for the clip on their helmets to connect it under their chins. Awesome vid keep it up

[@supurigan8211]

Thanks for video, unfortunately in maritime industry some people dose not understanding how to were hood/balaclava correctly.

[@OffBelay_]

Appreciate the video. Thank you!

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

Very informative.

[@davidr3674]

hi, exelente demostracion del scba, te comento que me sirve de mucho ya que yo practico con un scba. marca msa y isi y enriquesco el conocimiento adquirido, saludos desde mexico,

[@whygarywhy]

Great video

[@lfakerson7703]

Great video thanks so much

[@Mav_F]

Oh my gosh. I wish we had your type of harness on our BA sets. Why because the ones i used in the past always pulls on your hair and hurts like hell. We dont have hoods over the BA though as it's not really needed. Now that I am returning to volunteering firefighting I am considering options to saving my hair being pulled out and being uncomfortable. Thought about using the hood under my BA straps.

[@Mav_F]

PS our masks (face piece) are always connected to our BA sets

[@solidstream13]

Great tips!

[@thomasgioello9491]

Thank you... Very helpful.

[@hondaxr8013]

holy shit ur quick!! whats ur opinion on not using your hood, having it around your neck but not pulling it up over your mask? even for room and contents fires or contained too a room or two type jobs?

[@Mchugh272]

I am going to try this man thanks

[@justinconrow9174]

Question: what do you recommend to solve the problem from wristlets of your coat getting twisted while putting on gloves?(I didn't notice any webbing in your video)

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Thanks for your "Q" Justin - Honestly I don't use the wristlets on my coat - I have longer gauntlet style gloves which give me good overlap, so I can't give you any suggestions. As far as the webbing; I no longer carry my webbing on an equipment belt - I carry it in my left pants pocket: 1 - 5.5 foot loop and 1 - 9 foot loop with a carabiner