ceiling. Therefore, if possible, use an oxygenbreathing apparatus or other protective breathingequipment when you go into a burning compartment.If protective equipment is not available, cover yourmouth and nose with a wet cloth to reduce the danger ofinhaling smoke, flame, or hot air.CAUTION: A WET CLOTH GIVES YOUNO PROTECTION AGAINST POISONOUSGASES OR LACK OF OXYGEN!RESCUE FROM STEAM-FILLED SPACES.—It is sometimes possible to rescue a person from a spacein which there is a steam leak. Since steam rises,escape upward may not be possible. If the normal exitis blocked by escaping steam, move the casualty to theescape trunk or, if there is none, to the lowest level inthe compartment.RESCUE FROM ELECTRICAL CONTACT.—Rescuing a person who has received an electricalshock is likely to be difficult and dangerous. Extremecaution must be used, or you may be electrocutedyourself.CAUTION: YOU MUST NOT TOUCHTHE VICTIM’S BODY, THE WIRE, ORANY OTHER OBJECT THAT MAY BECONDUCTING ELECTRICITY.First of all, look for the switch. If you find theswitch, turn off the current immediately. Do not wastetoo much time hunting for the switch: Every second isimportant.If you cannot find the switch, try to remove thewire from the victim with a DRY broom handle,branch, pole, oar, board, or similar NONCON-DUCTING object. It may be possible to use a DRYrope or DRY clothing to pull the wire away from thevictim. You can also break the contact by cuttingthe wire with a WOODEN-HANDLED axe, butthis is extremely dangerous because the cut ends ofthe wire are likely to curl and lash back at youbefore you have time to get out of the way. Whenyou are trying to break an electrical contact, alwaysstand on some nonconducting material such as aDRY board, DRY newspapers, or DRY clothing.See figure 3–26.RESCUE FROM UNVENTILATED COM-PARTMENTS.—Rescuing a person from a void,double bottom, gasoline or oil tank, or any closedcompartment or unventilated space is generally a veryhazardous operation. Aboard naval vessels and atnaval shore stations, no person is permitted to enter anysuch space or compartment until a damage controlofficer (DCO), or some person designated by the DCO,has indicated that the likelihood of suffocation,poisoning, and fire or explosion has been eliminated asfar as possible. The rescue of a person from any closedspace should therefore be performed under thesupervision of the DCO or in accordance with theDCO’s instructions. In general, it is necessary toobserve the following precautions when attempting torescue a person from any closed or poorly ventilatedspace:If possible, test the air for oxygen deficiency,poisonous gases, and explosive vapors.Wear a hose (air line) mask or oxygen breathingapparatus. The air line mask is preferred for usein spaces that may contain high concentrationsof oil or gasoline vapors. Do not depend upon aprotective mask or a wet cloth held over yourface to protect you from oxygen deficiency orpoisonous gases.Before going into a compartment that maycontain explosive vapors, be sure that people arestationed nearby with fire-extinguishingequipment.3-16Figure 3–26.—Moving a victim away from an electrical line.
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