Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters
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Emily L Langford1, Haley C Bergstrom, Sarah N Lanham
1From the Waters College of Health Professions, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (E.L.L.); First Responder Research Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (E.L.L., S.N.L., A.Q.E., M.G.A.); Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (E.L.L., H.C.B., S.N.L., A.Q.E., S.B., M.G.A.); Neurotrauma Research Laboratory, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.Q.E.); and Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (X.M.).
Objective:
This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace, evaluates the relationship between air consumption efficiency (ACE) and work economy, identifies parameters associated with ACE, and explores the relationship between ACE and self-paced work rate.
Methods:
FF completed randomized trials of an air consumption drill at a standardized pace while breathing through a self-contained breathing apparatus and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.
Results:
The average AC variability (±1 standard deviation) was ~3.1 min of cylinder usage (13.7%). AC was positively associated with work economy and numerous physiological and anthropometric outcomes. No relationship was found between ACE and self-paced air consumption drill time.
Conclusions:
FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the self-contained breathing apparatus' functional duration to enhance productivity and safety.
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