Air management and physiological responses during simulated firefighting tasks in a high-rise structure

作者：Williams Bell F Michael; Boisseau Geoff; McGill John; Kostiuk Andrew; Hughson Richard L^*

来源：Applied Ergonomics, 2010, 41(2): 251-259.

DOI：10.1016/j.apergo.2009.07.009

• Self-contained breathing apparatus
• Firefighter
• Oxygen uptake

Air consumption, oxygen uptake (VO(2)), carbon dioxide output (VCO(2)) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER = VCO(2)/VO(2)) were measured directly from the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as 36 professional firefighters (three women) completed scenarios of high-rise stair climbing and fifth floor search and rescue. During stair climbing VO(2) was 75 +/- 8% VO(2max) (mean +/- SD), RER = 1.10 +/- 0.10, and heart rate = 91 +/- 3% maximum (based on maximum treadmill data). Firefighters stopped climbing on consuming 55% of the air cylinder then descended. In the fifth floor search and rescue VO(2) Was Slightly lower than stair climbing but RER remained elevated (1.13 +/- 0.12) reflecting high anaerobic metabolism. The first low air alarm sounded, indicating 25% of the air remaining in a "30-min cylinder", during the stair climb at 8 min with 19 of 36 sounding before 12 min. Aggressive air management strategies are required for safety in high-rise firefighting.

• 出版日期2010-3