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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: ps on November 17, 2008, 06:15:41 PM
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This is probably a really daft question - I've been told that if trapped in smoke you should try to breath through your nose rather than your mouth.
Im assuming it is because if you breathe through your mouth particles have a faster route to lungs and therefore you aremore likely to die - is this right or an I talking balonely!??
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In the old time, firefighters used their big moustaches to filter smoke and their ungloved hands or ears to sense temperature. :)
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Tis said...
The nasal passages and nasal hairs (Funny how you are never aware of them till you hit 40 and then they conspire to grow like lightning in an attempt to strangle you whilst you sleep) slow down and filter the air before it enters the lungs. There is a reflex action to stop you breathing very quickly if the nose detects some noxious substances or stimuli like very hot gases. Whereas breathing through the mouth gives a short cut to the back of the throat and the bronchus and it is inhaled before you realise it. This is particularly relevant where plastics such as PVC have been burning as the hydrochloric acid gas given off hits the moist mucous membranes and dissolves to become liguid hydrochloric acid which burns your tender moist tissues.
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As kurnal said the nasal passages and nasal hair filter the air and remove the smoke particles. This helps to stop them irritating the throat and lungs and prevents coughing. However it is only effective against smoke particles. There was another technique where you chewed the air, the aim was to get the particles trapped by the silivia. This technique was used by firefighters up to the availability of the Compressed Air sets as an alternative to the old oxygen sets that took ages to service after a job.
In Victorian times the story is that they used to stuff their beards into their mouth and hold it place with a handky (preferably red and spotted).
These techniques worked when the smoke came from tradition furniture and there were less poisonous gasses. Nowadays it is a different matter.
Yes breathing through your nose may help.
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When on nights in the dorm it is very advisable to breathe through the mouth. The mouth does not contain receptors which can pick up sulphurous or fungicidal odours.
Then your dreams will be sweet.
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Many thanks again guys - this is the place to come for common sence (and laugh!)
:)