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 [e-mail] or myself at [e-mail].

[@Balsero-qb9gv]

Thank you very much for this great presentation. I have been doing research on this topic because I'm going to do training about this type of rescue at my department in a couple of weeks and this is very helpful.

[@jamesbarnes1847]

Short and simple. No fancy techniques, no ropes that probably won’t be available in time, etc etc. Just down and dirty. Love it #kiss

[@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.

[@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.

[@DFDFire]

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]

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

[@wmi0405]

I can't say I have ever seen this technique used before on this drill... Very interesting.

[@DFDFire]

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.

[@pauly7fire317]

Excellent 👊🏻💯

[@brenrod3656]

great video

[@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.

[@cavelzen]

Have you ever done this technique using the DRD? how much of a difference can it make? Good historical footage of the fire.

[@patrickharvey158]

I'd love to see this as well

[@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.

[@patrickharvey158]

If you can locate where his gear is stuck like the case of langvardt wouldn't it be plausible to take a knife and just cut the gear free? I'd rather lose a set of bunkers than a firefighter

[@patrickharvey158]

Just a thought

[@minnybri2010]

The firefighters at the beginning who were involved in that rescue attempt talked about getting tunnel vision--it sounded like they kept trying the same thing over and over again and weren't able to take a step back and consider other strategies.

[@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.

[@SuperArty72]

thanks

[@RoguePhoenix6]

Ya I second that. But great instructions.

[@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.