Any firefighters out there?

firemarshal · Post by **firemarshal** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:34 am

As you can tell by my name what I do for a living and I am also on volunteer fire department in western Nebraska. Here is my point, after reading a thread with mention of ( I know I am going to butcher spelling) claustiphobia, I can not help but think of when I first started firefighting and putting on mask and was told some people could not do it because of the previously mentioned problem. I personaly do not have a problem with it and I am hoping that this will help when it comes to wearing the mask. If there are any firefighter out there let me know what you think, even if you think I am nuts and the two have nothing to do with one another.

MelMel · Post by **MelMel** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:49 am

I'm not a firefighter, but I'm a paramedic? Does that get me partial credit? Actually it is interesting that you mention this because I have a lot of patients who compare cpap to putting on a fireman's mask or to scuba diving. Some patients compare it to a Hannibal Lecture mask too. Usually it depends on their background as to whether those comparisons make it easier to wear cpap or not.

MelMel

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:51 pm

I was a firefighter /EMT for several years, SCBAs never bothered me. I was also in the military for 20 years and got to wear NBC gear for hours at a time . Its just something you get used to I guess. At least our cpap is positive pressure.

Cheers,

Chris

firemarshal · Post by **firemarshal** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:03 pm

I have seen people freak and was wondering if could be the same responce. Or maybe the fact they were going into a burning building. The things we do and call fun.
MelMel
I guess partial credit. But you know chics dig firemen, that how I lured in my wife.
Chris
I will give you full credit, sorry MelMel. My work wanted me to join a haz mat team and I told them no, I have enough problems already with out exposing myself to that.

MelMel · Post by **MelMel** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:02 pm

Speaking from personal experience... I have worked with too many fireman to "dig" them. But of course firemen are pretty cool guys. I just could never see myself as a "firewoman". Anyway, I'll take the partial credit.

As I always say... "It's all about saving lives and spreading sunshine!!"

MelMel

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:05 pm

MelMel wrote:Speaking from personal experience... I have worked with too many fireman to "dig" them. But of course firemen are pretty cool guys. I just could never see myself as a "firewoman". Anyway, I'll take the partial credit.

As I always say... "It's all about saving lives and spreading sunshine!!"

MelMel

At least you didn't say,

"Its all about charging more and billing insurance companies"

MelMel <> Evil DME

MelMel · Post by **MelMel** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:08 pm

You've got a good point! I will leave that mantra for those other dme's....

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:19 pm

Hi FM,
Used to be Assistant Chief in a little burg in the Chicago suburbs. The very first thing I thought of when I was introduced to this equipment was the positive pressure MSA's (and leaky masks). Like you, I didn't have any problem with them but I saw many people "freak" and jerk the mask off both in training and ocassionally on a job. I was descibing my new cpap to a former co-worker who was looking at me like a deer in headlights until I said "like an air pack" and it was instant recognition! Could be why I took to cpap so quickly. Haven't heard the low air bell from the Remstar though!

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:23 pm

I'm a Paramedic and a volunteer rural firefighter.

And I think the problem people have with the SCBA (firefighters Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and a CPAP Mask are very similar because I had a problem with both at first.

I know alot of people consider the fear to be clausterphobia, as I did at one time, but I don't think it is the true & accurate phobia for this situation. Those of you who have or had to overcome it for CPAP or Firefighting let me know if you follow me here.

Clausterphobia, to my understanding is a fear of small tight spaces with limited egress routes.

Where my fear really was rooted with the SCBA & the CPAP mask was the fact that I was depending on that mask & apparatus to give me my air. I had no control over its performance or failure and knew that my breathing and therefor my life depended on something that I did not have complete control over.(ie...power outages with CPAP, Tank Empty on SCBA....you get the drift).

For those of you stuggling with the CPAP Mask think try an SCBA Mask with an empty tank....there is NOTHING. You can't even take a breath, where as the CPAP Mask you can whether the machine is on or not. And your not in a burning building either. And for those firefighters out there how about the first time you worn an SCBA in trainging with the face shield blakced out or blind folded....????

I was able to overcome both and in fact now am very comfortable with my CPAP Mask although I will say the Swift Nasal Pillows that don't cover my face are much easier for me to where. I had a lot of problems during my sleep study with the mask and literally ripped it off in panic because the pressure during exhalation felt suffocating when in fact it is just the opposite.

Good Luck, Stick with it, it is mind over matter.

Mask	Humidifier