steam rises, escape upward may not be possible, If the normal exit is blocked by escaping steam, move the casualty to the escape trunk or, if there is none, to the lowest level in the compartment.
The equipment that offers protection against fire does NOT protect you against steam. In particular, it should be mentioned that the asbestos suit absorbs water and is therefore of no value in a steam-filled space. Steam would penetrate the asbestos very quickly, and the person wearing the suit would be scalded.
Rescue from Electrical Contact
Rescuing a person who has received an electrical shock is likely to be difficult and dangerous. Extreme caution must be used, or you may be electrocuted yourself.
YOU MUST NOT TOUCH THE VICTIM’S BODY, THE WIRE, OR ANY OTHER OBJECT THAT MAY BE CONDUCTING ELECTRICITY.
Look for the switch first of all; if you find it, turn off the current immediately. Do not waste too much time hunting for the switch; every second is important. If you cannot find the switch, try to remove the wire from the victim with a DRY broom handle, branch, pole, oar, board, or similar NONCONDUCTING object. It may be possible to use a DRY rope or DRY clothing to pull the wire away from the victim. You can also break the contact by cutting the wire with a WOODENHANDLED axe, but this is extremely dangerous because the cut ends of the wire are likely to curl and lash back at you before you have time to get out of the way. When you are trying to break an electrical contact, always stand on some nonconducting material such as a DRY board, DRY newspapers, or DRY clothing (see figure 4-74).
Rescue from Unventilated Compartments
Rescuing a person from a void, double bottom, gasoline or oil tank, or any closed compartment or unventilated space is generally a very hazardous operation. Aboard naval vessels and at naval shore activities, no person is permitted to enter any such space or compartment until a damage control officer (DCO), or some person designated by the DCO, has indicated that the likelihood of suffocation, poisoning, and fire or explosion have been eliminated as far as possible. The rescue of a person from any closed space should therefore be performed under the supervision of the DCO or in accordance with the DCO’s instructions. In general, it is necessary to observe the following precautions when attempting to rescue a person from any closed or poorly ventilated space:
1. If possible, test the air for oxygen deficiency, poisonous gases, and explosive vapors.
2. Wear a hose (air line) mask or oxygen breathing apparatus. The air line mask is preferred for use in spaces that may contain high concentrations of oil or gasoline vapors. Do not depend upon a protective mask or a wet cloth held over your face to protect you from oxygen deficiency or poisonous gases.
3. Before going into a compartment that may contain explosive vapors, be sure that people are stationed nearby with fireextinguishing equipment.
4. When going into any space that may be deficient in oxygen or contain poisonous or explosive vapors, be sure to maintain communication with someone outside. Wear a life-line, and be sure that it is tended by a competent person.
5. Do not use, wear, or carry any object or material that might cause a spark. Matches, cigarette lighters, flashlights, candles or other open flames, and ordinary electrical lights must NEVER be taken into a compartment that may contain explosive vapors. The kind of portable light used by cleaning parties in boilers, fuel tanks, and similar places may be taken into a suspect compartment; this is a steam-tight, glovetype light whose exposed metal parts are either made of nonsparking alloy or protected in some way so they will not strike a spark.
Electrical apparatus or tools that might spark must never be taken into a compartment until a DCO has indicated that it is safe to do so. When electrical equipment is used (e.g., an electric blower might be used to vent a compartment of explosive vapors) it must be explosion proof and properly grounded.
If you go into a space that may contain explosive vapors, do not wear clothing that has any exposed spark producing metal. For example, do not wear boots or shoes that have exposed nailheads or rivets, and do not wear coveralls or other garments that might scrape against metal and cause a spark.
A particular caution must be made concerning the use of the steelwire life-line in compartments that may contain explosive vapors. If you use the line, be sure that it is carefully tended and properly