problems using BA set

[pritchboy41]

Hi i've recently completed my retained ff course with Leicestershire. i have also found what seems to be my achillies Heel, BA!
i consider myself to be a fairly fit 42 year old, mountainbike regularly and got a good covox test fitness age 37.
It doesn't matter how hard i try to regulate my breathing while using BA, i still seem to be able to supp air!
this obviously causes problems while on training in the ftu as no sooner do i reach the task i have to make my way back to EC.
I was told by Oc Health that being over 6ft i would possibly take in more air because of my lung capacity?
any advice greatly recieved!!
Becoming the brunt of many jokes, more than capable of doing the task.

[Kaiser]

If you are genuinley fit, it may be psychological that you need more air.  I'm a big lad who is not a super fit athlete but I wear BA a lot due to my role as a BA instructor, I often find that when introducing trainees to their first hot fire, even just sitting there, they use tons more air than I ever do.  I try to make a point of controling my air usage and pause slightly between breaths, it works a treat for me. If you are worrying about the tasks you have been given or being watched, you will automatically use more air.

[pritchboy41]

Cheers Kaiser,

hit the nail on the head! i think some is psychological and i hate being watched! also i think being new to the job i'm out my comfort zone so to speak. When i just concentrate on the task and forget about the air usage, it seems to go better? i will try the pauses between breaths. also heard that holding your breath under water and swimming can help? Failing that 2 x 210bar cylinders should do it

[Fireguy1230]

I agree with Kaiser. I am also a BAI and regardless of how fit you are, if you get anxious with a set on ( even subconsciously) you will breath faster. The big danger is that if you constantly worry about this being a problem, and people make jokes about it, it may manifest itself into something bigger than it actually is.

 My only advice is to simply try and relax. Everyone is nervous on their first couple of wears. You have succesfully completed the training so you are obviously competent as a wearer, so there is really nothing to worry about. Focus on what you are doing and forget about your breathing (not literally obviously!)

[Mike Buckley]

Yes I am 6ft 4ins and I was able to empty a cylinder in record time as well. If pushed I could also overcome the positive pressue on the set and get the facemask moving in and out. Being bigger you have larger lungs and a greater mass to move about therefore you will use more air.

The comments about anxiety are correct, as others have said, try to relax.

At the end of the day I was operational for 19 years and had no problem with the sets. Following midgits through the rat run was a different kettle of fish.

[pritchboy41]

Cheers Guys, great advice. Yes i did complete the training although i took a little longer than some of my colleagues unfortunately, so i think a combination of loss of confidence and anxiety played a big part.
however moving forward i will definately take on board your comments.
I also agree with you Mike the ratrun is great for midgets and us big guys have to bend double to get through some of the obstacles.But midgets are great for throwing into cars to sort out RTC, found that useful on training!
Thanks again much appreciated

[Kaiser]

Hi i've recently completed my retained ff course with Leicestershire. i have also found what seems to be my achillies Heel, BA!
i consider myself to be a fairly fit 42 year old, mountainbike regularly and got a good covox test fitness age 37.
It doesn't matter how hard i try to regulate my breathing while using BA, i still seem to be able to supp air!
this obviously causes problems while on training in the ftu as no sooner do i reach the task i have to make my way back to EC.
I was told by Oc Health that being over 6ft i would possibly take in more air because of my lung capacity?
any advice greatly recieved!!
Becoming the brunt of many jokes, more than capable of doing the task.

Did you have WM (Stan) Boardman doing you BA, we did our BAI course together at Moreton

[Midland Retty]

Dont worry all us probeys on my course were the same - its only natural until you get used to the sets

At the end of the day we are all different shapes and sizes. Some use more air than others, you try the pause between breaths as Kaiser said and youll find the problem will dissapear.

Best of luck.

[pritchboy41]

Kaiser, no i didn't did my training at Loughborough, with WM Miles, Ayres et al
Thanks Midland Retty, think i will be a proby for a few more years yet!!