Practical PCT 2nd class

Question 1

Resuscitator
a) Demonstrate the daily check procedure for the resuscitator

Answer 1

• Open the cylinder and ensure the cylinder pressure is at least 100 bar.
• Check the function of the oxygen therapy outlet by rotating the recessed flow control
  on the pressure reducer.
• Connect the demand valve and resuscitator bag to the patient valve, squeeze the bag
  and as it is released, ensure the demand valve is operating to refill the bag.
• Check the suction device by pressing the operating trigger whilst covering the suction
  inlet with your finger.
• Close the cylinder.
  NOTE: If the unit fails any of these tests it must be returned to the BA Section for
  attention. A replacement unit will be issued.

b) Demonstrate the operational use of the resuscitator with Non-Breathing patients.
* Open the cylinder and connect the demand valve, resuscitation bag, filter and
mask to the patient valve.
* Ventilate as normal.

c) Demonstrate the operational use of the resuscitator with a spontaneously breathing
patient
* Attach oxygen therapy tubing to the barbed outlet on the reducer.
* Select the desired flow rate by rotating the recessed flow control anti-clockwise.
* Attach appropriate mask, and place comfortably on the patient’s face.
* For most patients, the oxygen flow should be 15 L/min. Under no circumstances
should it be less than 8 L/min.

Question 2

Breathing Apparatus
Demonstrate the daily check procedures, donning and doffing of your breathing
apparatus

Answer 2

• (To be carried out at the commencement of each shift)
• Check that the set is complete, clean and in good condition.
• Remove facemask from bag, inspect and attach to demand valve (DV).
• Fully slacken waist belt, shoulder and facemask straps ready for use.
• Press the black rubber first breath mechanism reset button on the side of the DV
  and check that the red bypass knob is turned off (The flat on the bypass knob aligns
  with the DV outlet).
• Open the main cylinder valve slowly but fully and allow 10 seconds for the
  apparatus to pressurise (On Duo sets open only one cylinder valve).
• Check that the pressure gauge shows the cylinder contains at least 260 bar for
  300 bar cylinders. Listen for leaks.
• Close the cylinder valve and monitor the pressure gauge for one minute. If the
  reading falls by more than 10 bar in this time there is an unacceptable leak.
• On Duo sets, vent the apparatus by opening the Demand Valve bypass, and
  repeat the test with the second cylinder.
• If the system fails the leak test: vent air from the system by opening the DV
  bypass. Check all pneumatic connections and repeat the leak test.
• Open the main cylinder valve (On Duo sets open only one cylinder valve).
• Hold the head harness lower straps, place chin in chin-cup and pull straps over
  back of head. Tighten harness straps in sequence, bottom, middle, and top. DO NOT
  over-tighten.
• Inhale deeply and check that the DV first breath mechanism operates.
• Hold breath for ten seconds and listen for leaks. If there is a leak, loosen head
  harness and adjust the mask.
• Complete a positive pressure test
• When satisfied with the apparatus, hold breath, press the DV reset and remove
  the facemask.
• Close the cylinder valve.
• Slowly open the by-pass valve and watch pressure gauge to ensure low pressure
  warning whistle begins to operate at between 68-73 bar for a 300 bar set.
• Turn off by-pass.
• Replace facemask cover bag over the facemask.

Test distress signal unit (Replace if faulty).
o Automatic
o Pre alarm
o Manual initiation
* Operate torch. (Replace if faulty).
* Ensure BA is correctly secured in the bracket.
* Attach tally tag to set.
* Set clock to “TIMER” position and program for 30 minutes.
* Any faulty sets shall be tagged and reported to the Breathing Apparatus Section or
BA Van after hours, who will arrange a replacement

Question 3

Extension Ladder
Candidate and crew to take ladder off the Pumper and raise and lower against a
structure according to the Commanders instructions whilst Candidate describes
the safe working practices

Answer 3

1. Correct PPE must be worn, including helmet & gloves.
2. Check for overhead obstructions before elevating or extending
3. Ladders must be footed at all times whilst someone is on the ladder.
4. The head should be tied off to prevent the ladder from sliding

After pitching the ladder gently against a structure, estimate the height of the ladder and ‘heel out’ from the wall approximately one quarter of that distance. A slightly greater distance is used when heavy equipment is being carried up or down the ladder.

Ensure that the non-skid feet are once again in firm contact with the ground, then secure the hauling line (if appropriate) to the bottom rung against the string by means of a clove hitch.

If possible, the head should be approximately five rungs higher than the top of the wall or step off point

Question 4

+Road Crash Rescue
Candidate to discuss and setup a tool staging area for a total roof removal and
discuss the following:

Answer 4

DRAW FEND OFF POSITION

Appliance positioning
1. Fend off position to protect the incident site, rescuers & casualties
2. Should be as close as possible without impeding operations
3. Allow for easy access & egress of other emergency vehicles
4. Maximises the effect of appliance lighting
5. Consideration be given to oncoming vehicles
6. Can they see the appliance?
7. Water runoff from Firefighting operations
Equipment staging area
1. Outside the action circle
2. Defined by a salvage sheet
3. Where equipment used in the action circle is taken from & returned to
4. Reduces clutter & chaos in the action circle
5. A charged line of hose should be located at this area

Question 5

Types of knots and uses

Answer 5

Overhand: used to mark damaged hose or stopper.
Half Hitch: Not a knot but component of many, used in hauling.
Clove Hitch: Used to fast a line or haul, susceptible to side strain.
Rolling Hitch: Can be orientated left or right, secures line that will take side strain.
Reef Knot: Used to tie two lengths together or in a sling.
Figure of 8: Used in a line through a pulley as a stop.
Round Turn Two Half Hitch: Used to fix to a round object, does not jam when loaded. Used for draughting.
**Bowline: **Creates non slip noose, used in self-rescue, trailing and around anchor points.
Alpine Butterfly: Vertical knot can be used to make an attachment point (working on roofs and harness) can take strain from 3 directions.
Figure of 8 on the Bight: It is known as an end line knot. Designed to take the load in one direction. It is used to secure the rope to an anchor sling, stretcher, harness etc. Produces a non slip loop. Used in conjunction with a carabiner. It can be tied easily anywhere along the rope when not loaded i.e., when splitting a rope.

**Prussik: **Vertical knot, used in hauling. When attached to another rope will not slide when loaded. It can be loaded in both directions unlike ascenders. Prussik loop rope must be at least 3mm smaller in diameter than the host rope to ensure that it grips to the host rope. It can be used in any situation that other ascenders are used.
**Tape Knot: **Variation of the overhand knot, used only with tapes for anchor slings, harnesses etc. Tails must be 150mm.
3 Wrap 2 Pull: Tape configuration for an anchor, tape knot facing crab and against anchor.
**Basket Hitch: **Used as an anchor sling (sewn loop or tape), gives good angle for crab but tri-loads, strong and useful when not much tape length is available or quick set up needed.

Question 6

Radios

Answer 6

Candidate to discuss the use of the priority tone on a radio
* When activated the Priority Alert Tone transmits for 3 seconds across the selected
talk group/s. This alerts all crews that an emergency message will follow and to
maintain radio silence until the emergency message has been transmitted.
* Emergency Traffic will receive the highest communications priority from Comcen
and the IC.
* The IC is the only person who can initiate an Emergency Traffic report.
Please note: Apart from use at drills and weekly testing, Emergency Traffic should only
be requested for the transmission of significant and timely messages. The Priority Alert
tone and Emergency Traffic may be requested by other agencies during multi-agency
incidents such as grass/bush fire.
Staff Minute 2016057 – Priority Alert Tone and Emergency Traffic