Impact of SCBA size and firefighting work cycle on firefighter functional balance

Richard M Kesler; Grace S Deetjen; Faith F Bradley; Michael J Angelini; Matthew N Petrucci; Karl S Rosengren; Gavin P Horn; Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2018.01.006

Impact of SCBA size and firefighting work cycle on firefighter functional balance

Appl Ergon. 2018 May:69:112-119. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.01.006.

Authors

Richard M Kesler¹, Grace S Deetjen², Faith F Bradley², Michael J Angelini³, Matthew N Petrucci⁴, Karl S Rosengren⁵, Gavin P Horn⁶, Elizabeth T Hsiao-Wecksler⁷

Affiliations

¹ Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
² Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
³ Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
⁴ Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
⁵ Dept. of Psychology, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
⁶ Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
⁷ Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA. Electronic address: ethw@illinois.edu.

PMID: 29477318
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.01.006

Abstract

Slips, trips and falls are leading causes of fireground injuries. A functional balance test (FBT) was used to investigate the effects of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) size and design, plus firefighting work cycle. During the FBT, subjects walked along a narrow platform and turned in defined spaces, with and without an overhead obstacle. Thirty firefighters wore three varying-sized standard SCBAs and a low-profile prototype SCBA during three simulated firefighting work/rest cycles. Firefighters were tested pre- and post-firefighting activity (one bout, two bouts with a 5-min break, or back-to-back bouts with no break). Subjects committed more errors and required longer completion times with larger SCBAs. Use of the prototype SCBA lead to lower times and fewer errors. Performing a second bout of firefighting increased completion time. Firefighters need to consider how SCBA and amount of physical activity on the fireground may influence balance in order to reduce the risk of injury.

Keywords: Firefighting; Functional balance; Self-contained breathing apparatus; Work cycle.

MeSH terms

Adult
Compressed Air
Equipment Design
Female
Firefighters*
Fires
Humans
Male
Personal Protective Equipment*
Postural Balance / physiology*
Respiratory Protective Devices*
Task Performance and Analysis
Time Factors
Work / physiology*