Chapter 10

• 1. Chapter 10 Reading Firefighters

2. Objectives

• List the three factors that lead to overexertion, the three ergonomic factors that can produce injury, and the three strategies to mitigate ergonomic hazards

• List the three factors that impact human cell performance, explain its chemistry, and define fuel replacement strategies to increase it

3. Objectives (cont.)

• Discuss the two types of thermal stress

• Explain the role of hydration in preventing injuries

• Define the four Rs of firefighter rehabilitation

4. Reading Firefighters Is It Possible?

• Human performance depends on many factors

• Overexertion is the leading cause of injuries (and deaths) at incidents

• Reading firefighters involves the evaluation of factors that lead to overexertion

• • Fire service has actually set up firefighters to be injured

5. Reading Firefighters Is It Possible? (cont.)

• The overexertion setup

• • Firefighters are the only professional athletes who work at peak performance without warm up

• • • Physical and mental challenges are required at a moments notice when an incident occurs

• • • Essence of fire service professionalism: the ability to function safelyat all times

• • • Solution: address physical and mental demands of firefighters

6. Reading Firefighters Is It Possible? (cont.)

• Overexertion resistance

• • Firefighters should be physically fit to resist overexertion and injury

• • • Proactively aim for strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness

• • • Adopt program for efficient fueling for their metabolism

• • • Know how their bodies respond to stress

7. Figure 10-1 The physically fit firefighter can resist overexertion longer with minimal injury risk. 8. Reading Firefighters Is It Possible? (cont.)

• Overexertion realities

• • ISOs must deal with here-and-now overexertion threats regardless of firefighters preventive fitness efforts

• • ISOs can address human overexertion factors

• • • Ergonomics

• • • Physiology

• • • Rehab efforts

9. Ergonomics

• The science of adapting work or work conditions to a worker

• The study of problems associated with people adjusting to their work environment

• A firefighters workplace includes the fire station, apparatus, and the incident scene

10. Figure 10-2 Firefighters seldom find an ergonomically friendly workplace. 11. Ergonomics (cont.)

• Ergonomic stressors

• • The physical environment

• • • Surface conditions, temperature variations, lighting, equipment, etc.

• • Relationship of the worker to the environment

• • • Bending, ascending or descending, pushing, etc.

• • Task being attempted

• • • Energy and amount of focus required

• • • Task priority and number of people

12. Ergonomics (cont.)

• Ergonomic abatement strategies

• • Awareness

• • • Warnings and reminders

• • Accommodation

• • • Altering environment, task, or personnel

• • Acclimation

• • • Usually done proactively

• • • Fitness programs, prehydration, stretching exercises prior to assignment

13. Firefighter Physiology

• Physiological performance depends on metabolic processing (cell chemistry) of firefighter

• Factors that affect cell chemistry

• • Thermal stress

• • Hydration

• • Fuel replacement

14. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Thermal stress

• • Heat stress can be caused by:

• • • Activity

• • • Humidity

• • • Air temperature

• • • Reduced effectiveness of cooling mechanisms (i.e., PPE)

• • • Sun, shade, and wind

15. Figure 10-3 The ISO should be observant of the signs and symptoms of heat stress. 16. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Thermal stress (cont.)

• • Heat stress reduction

• • • Passive cooling: use of shade, air movement, and rest to bring down core temperatures

• • • Active cooling: uses external methods or devices to reduce body core temperatures

• • • Temperatures above 101 degrees Fahrenheit should trigger active cooling

17. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Thermal stress (cont.)

• • Cold stress can be caused by:

• • • Moisture (perspiration)

• • • Immediate temperature change

• • • Wind chill

• • • Level of activity

• • • Duration and degree of exposure

18. Figure 10-4 Hypothermia is the cooling of the bodys core temperature, a condition that should be avoided at all cost. 19. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Fighting thermal stress

• • Accommodation

• • • Warm clothing cold extremes

• • • Forearm cold water submersion for heat extremes

• • Rotation

• • • Planned action to rotate crews

• • Hydration

• • • Important in both heat and cold stress environments

20. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Hydration

• • Firefighters should drink a quart of water an hour during work periods

• • • Best delivered in 8-ounce increments spread over the hour

• • For activities longer than an hour, add essential electrolytes and nutrients to water

• • • Dilute sports drinks with 50 percent water to speed absorption

21. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Fuel replacement

• • Metabolic rates are influenced by:

• • • Lifestyles

• • • Fitness

• • • Illnesses

• • • Over-the-counter and prescription drugs

• • • Circadian rhythms: physiological response to the 24-hour clock, which includes sleep, energy peaks, and necessary body functions

22. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Fuel replacement (cont.)

• • Cell theory

• • • Optimal cell performance uses oxygen, water, glucose (food), and insulin

• • • Too much insulin in the system tells the body to store carbs, not use them

• • • Fuel firefighters with a low-glycemic index food so that blood sugar levels and insulin are stable, gradual, and consistent

23. Table 10-2 Glycemic index comparisons for common carbohydrates. 24. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Fuel replacement (cont.)

• • Cell-fueling strategy

• • • 40/30/30 balance of low glycemic carbohydrates, protein, and fat provides quick energy that optimizes cell performance

• • • Choosing the best protein, carbohydrate, and fat also promotes steady, sustained performance

• • • Department should preplan nourishment for rehab

25. Firefighter Physiology (cont.)

• Fuel replacement (cont.)

• • Eating cycle at incidents

• • • Feed