the patient to safety; and procedures for transportingthe injured after first aid has been given.PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTThe use of appropriate items of protectiveequipment will increase your ability to effect rescuefrom life-threatening situations. Protective equipmentthat is generally available on naval vessels and someshore activities include the oxygen breathingapparatus (OBA); hose (air line) masks; protective(gas) masks; steel-wire lifelines; and devices fordetecting oxygen insufficiency, explosive vapors, andsome poisonous gases.Oxygen Breathing ApparatusAn oxygen breathing apparatus (OBA) is providedfor emergency use in compartments containing toxicgases. The apparatus is particularly valuable forrescue purposes because it is a self-contained unit. Thewearer is not dependent upon outside air or any type ofair line within the effective life of the canister.There are several types of OBAs, but they are allsimilar in operation. Independence of the outsideatmosphere is achieved by having air within theapparatus circulated through a canister. Within thecanister, oxygen is continuously generated. Theeffective life of the canister varies from 20 to 45minutes, depending on the particular apparatus and thetype of work being done. One of the newer types ofOBA is designed so that you can change canisterswithout leaving the toxic atmosphere.If you are to enter an extremely hazardous area,you should also wear a lifeline. The lifeline should betended by two persons, one of whom is also wearing abreathing apparatus.Never allow oil or grease to come in contact withany part of an OBA. Oxygen is violently explosive inthe presence of oil or grease. If any part of theapparatus becomes contaminated with oil or greasesmudges, clean it before it is stowed. Care should betaken to prevent oil or oily water from entering thecanister between the time it is opened and the time ofdisposal.Hose (Air Line) MasksHose masks are part of the allowance of all shipshaving repair party lockers. They are smaller than theoxygen breathing outfits and can, therefore, be used bypersons who must enter voids or other spaces that havevery small access hatches. The hose or air line maskconsists essentially of a gas mask facepiece with anadjustable head harness and a length of airhose. Notethat the air line mask uses air rather than pure oxygen.It must NEVER be connected to an oxygen bottle,oxygen cylinder, or other source of oxygen. Even asmall amount of oil or grease in the air line couldcombine rapidly with the oxygen and cause anexplosion.Safety belts are furnished with each air line maskand MUST BE WORN. A lifeline must be fastened tothe safety belt; and the lifeline should be loosely lashedto the airhose to reduce the possibility of fouling. Theairhose and lifeline must be carefully tended at alltimes so that they do not become fouled or cut. Theperson wearing the air line mask and the persontending the lines should maintain communication bymeans of standard divers’ signals.Protective (Gas) MasksProtective masks provide respiratory protectionagainst chemical, biological, and radiological warfareagents. They do not provide protection from theeffects of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and anumber of industrial gases. Protection from thesegases is discussed in the section, “Rescue fromUnventilated Compartments,” later in this chapter.In emergencies, protective masks may be used forpassage through a smoke-filled compartment or for3-13Figure 3-24.—Battle dressing.
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