chapter 10
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Chapter 10
Reading Firefighters
![Page 2: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Objectives
• List the three factors that lead to overexertion, the three ergonomic factors that can produce injury, and the three strategies to mitigate ergonomic hazards
• List the three factors that impact human cell performance, explain its chemistry, and define fuel replacement strategies to increase it
![Page 3: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Objectives (con’t.)
• Discuss the two types of thermal stress
• Explain the role of hydration in preventing injuries
• Define the four Rs of firefighter rehabilitation
![Page 4: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Reading Firefighters – Is It Possible?
• Human performance depends on many factors
• Overexertion is the leading cause of injuries (and deaths) at incidents
• Reading firefighters involves the evaluation of factors that lead to overexertion– Fire service has actually set up firefighters to
be injured
![Page 5: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Reading Firefighters – Is It Possible? (con’t.)
• The overexertion setup– Firefighters are the only professional athletes
who work at peak performance without warm up• Physical and mental challenges are required at a
moment’s notice when an incident occurs• Essence of fire service professionalism: the ability to
function safely at all times• Solution: address physical and mental demands of
firefighters
![Page 6: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Reading Firefighters – Is It Possible? (con’t.)
• Overexertion resistance– Firefighters should be physically fit to resist
overexertion and injury• Proactively aim for strength, flexibility, and aerobic
fitness• Adopt program for efficient fueling for their
metabolism• Know how their bodies respond to stress
![Page 7: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Figure 10-1 The physically fit firefighter can resist overexertion longer with minimal injury risk.
![Page 8: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Reading Firefighters – Is It Possible? (con’t.)
• Overexertion realities– ISOs must deal with “here-and-now”
overexertion threats regardless of firefighters’ preventive fitness efforts
– ISOs can address human overexertion factors• Ergonomics• Physiology• Rehab efforts
![Page 9: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Ergonomics
• The science of adapting work or work conditions to a worker
• The study of problems associated with people adjusting to their work environment
• A firefighter’s workplace includes the fire station, apparatus, and the incident scene
![Page 10: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Figure 10-2 Firefighters seldom find an “ergonomically friendly” workplace.
![Page 11: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Ergonomics (con’t.)
• Ergonomic stressors– The physical environment
• Surface conditions, temperature variations, lighting, equipment, etc.
– Relationship of the worker to the environment• Bending, ascending or descending, pushing, etc.
– Task being attempted • Energy and amount of focus required• Task priority and number of people
![Page 12: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Ergonomics (con’t.)
• Ergonomic abatement strategies– Awareness
• Warnings and reminders
– Accommodation• Altering environment, task, or personnel
– Acclimation• Usually done proactively• Fitness programs, prehydration, stretching exercises
prior to assignment
![Page 13: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology
• Physiological performance depends on metabolic processing (cell chemistry) of firefighter
• Factors that affect cell chemistry– Thermal stress– Hydration– Fuel replacement
![Page 14: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Thermal stress– Heat stress can be caused by:
• Activity• Humidity• Air temperature• Reduced effectiveness of cooling mechanisms (i.e.,
PPE)• Sun, shade, and wind
![Page 15: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Figure 10-3 The ISO should be observant of the signs and symptoms of heat stress.
![Page 16: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Thermal stress (con’t.)– Heat stress reduction
• Passive cooling: use of shade, air movement, and rest to bring down core temperatures
• Active cooling: uses external methods or devices to reduce body core temperatures
• Temperatures above 101 degrees Fahrenheit should trigger active cooling
![Page 17: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Thermal stress (con’t.)– Cold stress can be caused by:
• Moisture (perspiration)• Immediate temperature change• Wind chill• Level of activity• Duration and degree of exposure
![Page 18: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Figure 10-4 Hypothermia is the cooling of the body’s core temperature, a condition that should be avoided at all cost.
![Page 19: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Fighting thermal stress– Accommodation
• Warm clothing cold extremes• Forearm cold water submersion for heat extremes
– Rotation• Planned action to rotate crews
– Hydration• Important in both heat and cold stress environments
![Page 20: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Hydration– Firefighters should drink a quart of water an
hour during work periods• Best delivered in 8-ounce increments spread over
the hour
– For activities longer than an hour, add essential electrolytes and nutrients to water
• Dilute sports drinks with 50 percent water to speed absorption
![Page 21: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Fuel replacement– Metabolic rates are influenced by:
• Lifestyles• Fitness• Illnesses• Over-the-counter and prescription drugs• Circadian rhythms: physiological response to the 24-
hour clock, which includes sleep, energy peaks, and necessary body functions
![Page 22: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Fuel replacement (con’t.)– Cell theory
• Optimal cell performance uses oxygen, water, glucose (food), and insulin
• Too much insulin in the system tells the body to store carbs, not use them
• Fuel firefighters with a low-glycemic index food so that blood sugar levels and insulin are stable, gradual, and consistent
![Page 23: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Table 10-2 Glycemic index comparisons for common carbohydrates.
![Page 24: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Fuel replacement (con’t.)– Cell-fueling strategy
• 40/30/30 balance of low glycemic carbohydrates, protein, and fat provides quick energy that optimizes cell performance
• Choosing the best protein, carbohydrate, and fat also promotes steady, sustained performance
• Department should preplan nourishment for rehab
![Page 25: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Firefighter Physiology (con’t.)
• Fuel replacement (con’t.)– Eating cycle at incidents
• Feed now if more than two hours since the last food intake
• Feed every two to three hours when physical and mental demands remain
![Page 26: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Rehabilitation Efforts
• ISO functions– Ensure IC has established a rehabilitation
tactical management component during emergency operations
– Evaluate rehab efforts to determine effectiveness
![Page 27: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Rehabilitation Efforts (con’t.)
• The Four Rs of Rehab– Rest– Rehydration– Rx– Refueling
![Page 28: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Summary• Most firefighter mistakes/injuries are due to
overexertion• Ergonomic stressors
– Physical environment– Relationship of worker to environment– Task being performed
• Abatement strategies for ergonomic stressors– Awareness, accommodation, and acclimation
![Page 29: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Summary (con’t.)
• Physiological stressors are influenced by:– Thermal stressors
• Hot or cold• Abatement: crew rotation, accommodation, and
hydration
– Hydration– Fuel replacement
![Page 30: Chapter 10](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022052506/557aaa5bd8b42a74488b489b/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Summary (con’t.)
• Optimal human performance relies on optimal cell performance– Balance food intake– Eat in regular cycles
• Evaluate rehab efforts– Ensure the four R’s are implemented and
achieving results