EQUIPMENT
Proper equipment for entering and rescue from these spaces is essential.
Obviously, before entering such a space, the normal precautions should have been taken. The tank will have been ventilated for at least 24 hours, and all the checks will have been made with a gas detector which will check for oxygen levels and gases. Unbelievably, it is only last year that these became mandatory.
The problem with this is the oxygen testing is done at the entrance. What is the state of the air in the centre? Let us say that before the surveyor boards, the crew make their test reading and it shows a safe atmosphere at the entrance point. As far as they are concerned, that space is safe to enter, which doesn’t do the surveyor much good when he collapses half way through the space.
RESCUE
Consider that any entrants or rescuers will have to go through lightning holes often less than half a meter diameter. The only SCBA sets most ships carry are designed for fighting fires. There are SCBA sets designed for such tight spaces but there is no SOLAS requirement to carry them and very few
ships have these. This makes the procedure on many ships involve trying to put the BA set on when in the space while hanging onto a ladder. Imagine the time it is going to take with such equipment. That is of course assuming that the ship has a properly trained rescue team which the vast majority does not.
STRETCHERS
The stretchers we have are often not designed for such spaces and require four persons to carry them, indeed the design of many of these goes back a hundred years. Yet ashore there are stretchers used by rescue organisations that can be used in such spaces, that can be manoeuvred through small holes and only require two persons to carry them. Not required.
STANDARD SHIPS BREATHING APPARATUS
If the space is not easily accessible, such as a deep tank or a double bottom, there are a number of problems to deal with. If there are manholes or lightening holes to go through, then as well as ensuring that the casualty has a constant air supply, it will require a minimum of two strong persons in BA sets to get an unconscious person through these. The difficulty could be increased by the necessity of having to remove the BA sets in order to pass through the holes.
Increased exertion will require the tanks to be supplying full air and this will be using up the air available very quickly therefore spare tanks will have to be kept ready. Alternatively airlines can be used instead of BA sets but this has the risk of entanglement if various obstacles have to be negotiated. The chances are that by the time such a rescue attempt reaches the casualty, it will be too late.
COMPRESSED AIR BREATHING LINES
In spaces where it is not possible to enter using the standard SCBA sets, there are only two alternatives and that is to use a SCBA set with small cylinders, which will limit the rescue time available, or to use on outside cylinders with breathing lines attached.
The supply of air can either be by a dedicated on board airline, a compressor or from cylinders on a transportation trolley. One advantage is that a number of rescuers can use the same system. Provided there is enough air supplied. Again, however the time element comes in to play.
RESUSCITATORS
This would then indicate that the best method or rescue is to treat the casualty immediately the rescue party reaches him. This requires a resuscitator. It is portable and
Proper
equipment for entering and rescue from these spaces is essential.
56 | The Report • March 2017 • Issue 79
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