Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters

Emily L Langford; Haley C Bergstrom; Sarah N Lanham; Alyssa Q Eastman; Stuart Best; Xin Ma; Mark G Abel

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202

Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters

Emily L Langford, Haley C Bergstrom, Sarah N Lanham, Alyssa Q Eastman, Stuart Best, Xin Ma, Mark G Abel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace; evaluates the relationship between AC 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 AC drill (ACD) at a standardized pace while breathing through a SCBA and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.

RESULTS: The average AC variability (±1 SD) 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 ACD time.

CONCLUSIONS: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the SCBA's functional duration to enhance productivity and safety.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202
State	E-pub ahead of print - Aug 6 2024

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202

Cite this

@article{9a0e7965416544da932f059d93424730,

title = "Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace; evaluates the relationship between AC 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 AC drill (ACD) at a standardized pace while breathing through a SCBA and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.RESULTS: The average AC variability (±1 SD) 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 ACD time.CONCLUSIONS: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the SCBA's functional duration to enhance productivity and safety.",

author = "Langford, {Emily L} and Bergstrom, {Haley C} and Lanham, {Sarah N} and Eastman, {Alyssa Q} and Stuart Best and Xin Ma and Abel, {Mark G}",

note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2024 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.",

year = "2024",

month = aug,

day = "6",

doi = "10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202",

language = "English",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters

AU - Langford, Emily L

AU - Bergstrom, Haley C

AU - Lanham, Sarah N

AU - Eastman, Alyssa Q

AU - Best, Stuart

AU - Ma, Xin

AU - Abel, Mark G

PY - 2024/8/6

Y1 - 2024/8/6

N2 - OBJECTIVE: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace; evaluates the relationship between AC 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 AC drill (ACD) at a standardized pace while breathing through a SCBA and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.RESULTS: The average AC variability (±1 SD) 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 ACD time.CONCLUSIONS: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the SCBA's functional duration to enhance productivity and safety.

AB - OBJECTIVE: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace; evaluates the relationship between AC 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 AC drill (ACD) at a standardized pace while breathing through a SCBA and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace.RESULTS: The average AC variability (±1 SD) 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 ACD time.CONCLUSIONS: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the SCBA's functional duration to enhance productivity and safety.

U2 - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202

DO - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003202

M3 - Article

C2 - 39118141

SN - 1076-2752

JO - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

JF - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

ER -

Evaluation of Air Consumption Efficiency in Structural Firefighters

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this