Report Number: 05-0000186
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
I was working as a live fire instructor with fire cadets at a 1403 compliant live burn. I was assigned to the position of Safety for this particular burn. I had not changed my SCBA bottle during the last two burns and my vibralert was activating as the fire was being ignited. My air ran out as the Igniter was lighting the fire. I had to communicate to the Igniter to leave and this took enough time for me to have to remove my regulator. I was down low and the air was not superheated, but I immediately became disoriented and couldn't decide whether I needed to leave. The Igniter had already left. My mind was at battle because I was having trouble convincing my body to leave, but I did crawl my way towards the stairs and was able to get downstairs and outside. Had I not gotten out, I would not have been found until after the burn. This incident was incredibly foolish and unprofessional.
Lesson Learned
1. It's amazing how quickly carbon monoxide will confuse you and make you want to lay down and die.
2. Overconfidence during training, in this case day after day burns with cadets, can make instructors lazy and complacent.
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