/project/TOC/SAFETY/extingsh.htm

This is a post sent in by Jerry Frost and refers to something that most of us are unaware of. Take a minute to read through this and keep it in the back of your mind. I hope that no one has to have a reason to remember this information, but just in case. Also keep in mind that sometimes even paramedics and hospital personnel may not be aware of this information. It is very important to remember in case of use, to ALWAYS keep the extinguisher bottle on the stretcher with the victim, so the hospital will know how to apply proper treatment for the particular chemical.

Chris

I have a cautionary note about dry chemical fire extinguishers though. They've changed a lot since the old days and their chemical compositions vary considerably. If, heaven forbid, you have a fire and have to use one on a person or animal you have to make sure the extinguisher you used goes with them to the hospital. This is very important as the chemicals in extinguishers can do as much or more damage as the fire. They are usually pretty caustic and can't be treated if the doctors don't know what they are.

A couple years ago a mechanic/welder was repairing a diesel tank on a truck when he blew it up. It was one of those slips any of us could point to and say, "see, you screwed up, it's your fault." It was also something that could happen to anybody. Who of us doesn't make mistakes, have lapses or forget one little item on the checklist.

Anyway, when the tank blew, it split a seam and dumped 140gal of burning diesel fuel right into the oil racks. The only other man on duty that day put him out with a dry chemical fire extinguisher and dragged him outside. By that time the entire shop was fully engulfed, a total loss. 911 was called by half a dozen offices in the complex and the only burn victim was taken to the emergency room.

In the hospital it was discovered that NO TREATMENT at all could be administered until they knew exactly what dry chemical was used on him. Several fire fighters had to risk life and limb to recover the fire extinguisher. It was a big shop over 7,000sq ft and burning like an oil refinery, with welding cylinders and fuel tanks exploding, burning tires, hydraulic systems and fluids. Well you get the picture, it took the fire department over 8 hours to get it under control and it smoldered for two days afterwards.

Fortunately the fire extinguisher was in a location where it could be recovered and nobody was hurt getting it but it could have gone horribly wrong. More people could've been burned or killed and the victim might have suffered fatal chemical burns either from the extinguisher or the treatment if it hadn't been recovered.

The thing that appalls me about the entire episode is that the recommendation of the doctors and EMS personnel to put the extinguisher on the stretcher with the victim was spread by rumor. WE FOUND OUT BY RUMOR! There is no warning on extinguishers, I've looked, it's never been mentioned at a first aid course, as far as I know it's one of the best kept secrets of the first aid profession.

We all look at those bright red cylinders hanging there as life savers but beware, they can be life takers as well. If you or somebody else is on fire, use water, dirt, roll on the ground, use a CO2 extinguisher and risk frostbite, anything but dry chemical. But if the choice is to use dry chemical or burn, make sure the extinguisher(s) get's strapped to the stretcher with the victim. Make sure the EMS personnel know it's there and is to stay with the victim. Use threats if necessary but make sure the doctors get them, it's as important as it get's.

Contributor - Jerry Frost - frosty@customcpu.com

"Processes, methods, and apparatus presented herein have not been tested or verified by ArtMetal in any way. Anyone using any of this information is doing so at their own risk."