Escape- A Quick Guide to Self-Survival

Self-survival is one of the many topics in our profession that cannot be glanced over. Though most of us will never be caught in a Mayday scenario, it does not mean that we should not come up with a plan before it happens. While I cannot take credit for the ESCAPE acronym below, it would be a dis-service for me to keep it to myself. I truly believe that the information it represents gives firefighters a fighting chance when they encounter a number of Mayday scenarios.  


Emergency Reverse- Though it may be somewhat controversial for me to say, staying put and immediately calling a the Mayday may not be necessary. Take no more than about five to ten seconds to head in the opposite direction (back to where you came from) in an effort to move away from the hazard. This could lead to becoming oriented when lost, finding your missing crew, or simply putting space between you and the known danger. With that being said, do not let precious time slip away if this does not immediately resolve your issue; call the Mayday.

Secondary Egress- Search for any doorway or window that you may have previously past. In an emergency scenario, the way you entered is by no means the only way out. Part of staying oriented in a structure means recognizing these points of egress as you move through the structure. Make a mental note each time an egress is encountered so that you have an idea of where you should head if something were to go wrong.

Contact Command- This is vital. Call the Mayday if these first two steps do not result in immediate self-rescue. Give a solid, concise report. This can be achieved using the LUNAR format (location, unit number, name, air supply/actions taken, resources needed). Having continuous communication with command will absolutely improve your chances of being found.

Activate PASS- This is all about making your presence known. The noise and lights will hopefully catch the attention of anyone nearby that can help. Consider turning on any additional flashlights you may have, as well as banging on floors and walls with a tool. Perhaps the most important reason to ensure the PASS activation takes place is that it will continue to alarm if you should become incapacitated.

Perform a Breach- Sometimes an area of refuge is just on the other side of a wall. It is an option to break your way into a part of the structure that provides better protection. Understand that there is a fine balance between putting forth the labor intensive work this could require and conserving both energy and your air supply.

Easy Breathe- Air supply is obviously quite necessary to successful survival. While conserving air is mentioned last in the acronym, it should be done throughout the entire process. Focus on your breathing. Many in the fire service will teach methods such as "skip breathing" to help accomplish this task. While there is no magic process to extend the life of the SCBA bottle, controlling your breathing rate will result in much greater time frame before the supply is depleted.