Drill Bits: Enclosed Spaces (Part Two)

This full drill will allow you to pull together the various techniques practiced last time; use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), rescue techniques, equipment testing, checking contingency plans and first aid.

Emergency: RESCUE FROM ENCLOSED SPACE

Scenario

The Chief Officer has been conducting an internal inspection of a space and the responsible person at the entrance has lost communication with them.

Preparation

Agree a time for the drill, preferably different to the last one and discuss the scenario. Take time to properly plan the drill and think about the following:

• What were the lessons learned from the earlier training exercises and previous drills? Can any of these help with this scenario?
• Identify a suitable location for an ‘enclosed space’. Always try to simulate an enclosed space rather than use an actual enclosed space, perhaps in an open cargo hold or machinery space. Remember, if using an actual enclosed space, don’t forget to revisit your risk assessment and permit-to-work.
• Prepare the areas where exercises will take place:
  • If you have a dummy then place it in the space, just stuff an old boiler suit with some rags!
  • Would there normally be obstructions or restrictions in access? If so, leave these in place to make the rescue as realistic as possible.
• To make the drill more realistic, choose a casualty that would be most likely to be in that particular enclosed space. In this example, it is the Chief Officer. This not only makes the situation more realistic; it tests the response of the emergency team as the Chief Officer is often in charge (1 I/C) on scene and therefore someone will need to deputise. Remember, deputising of key persons should be outlined on the muster list.
• Decide how the drill will be initiated and by who. In this case it is most likely by the responsible person at the entrance of the enclosed space reporting to the bridge by radio of a loss in communications with the person who entered the space.
• When someone is unconscious in an enclosed space, time is of the essence. Therefore, record how long it takes from raising the alarm to retrieving the casualty from the space.

Raising the alarm

• Bridge team announce “Alarms will be sounded for drill purposes”
• The responsible person at the entrance of the enclosed space informs the bridge of loss of communication with the Chief Officer
• Activate the general alarm
• Crew proceed to their muster stations – except for the Chief Officer
• Bridge team announce – “For drill purposes there is a report of a person missing in an enclosed space at (location). This is a drill.”

Running the drill

At the muster stations: Check all persons on board are present and correct and report to the bridge. In this instance, the Chief Officer has failed to show up, last seen entering an enclosed space on board.

On scene command: The new officer in charge (1 I/C) – in this case will be the 2^nd Engineer – establishes the forward control point, where the rescue teams will reposition – typically the enclosed space entry point.

Team roles and goals

Bridge Team:

• Execute the relevant contingency plan. Check that the contingency plan is available and correct. Note any potential improvements that could be made to report back to the DPA.
• Make sure the bridge team know how to contact the telemedical services and have the contact details ready to use should they be needed.
• Ensure that the whole bridge team know how to operate the GMDSS equipment. Send a GMDSS test call and log this in the GMDSS logbook.
• Search for the nearest suitable port in case the vessel needs to divert for medical assistance.
• Maintain accurate records of the event.

Forward Control Team:

• SCBA control board set up at the entry point.
• Check all communication channels between all involved parties
• Collect and transfer the casualty removal equipment to the entry point, such as the Neil Robertson stretcher, pulley and lifting tripod if there is a vertical lift involved.
• Clear a space outside the enclosed space for the first aid team.
• If there is a breathing apparatus airline trolley unit on board, rig this up for the SCBA team to relieve the time pressure whilst they are in the space.
• Record entry of the SCBA team into the space and use the board to monitor the time the team are on air. Maintain effective communications with on-scene commander.

Engine Room Team:

• Maintain services with minimum safe personnel.
• If required, man the emergency SCBA bottle compressor to refill bottles.

SCBA Team 1:

• SCBA team to don full SCBA (or airline trolley unit) and conduct all pre-entry tests – it must be assumed that the atmosphere in the enclosed space is dangerous.
• Consider rigging an additional mask from the SCBA system Y piece – if the casualty is found breathing you can give them a mask in the space. If this equipment is not available, consider taking in a rescue set (such as an ELSA) that can be given to the casualty. IMPORTANT: Rescue sets should never be used by the rescuer to enter a dangerous space – they are for emergency evacuation only
• Take the stretcher into the space if required.
• SCBA team to pass through SCBA control and enter the space. They should immediately test communications from inside the space and commence a search for the missing person.
• Upon locating the casualty within the space, assess their condition. If the casualty is not breathing, immediately extract from the space for CPR. If the casualty is breathing and can be provided with a safe air supply, employ a safe recovery method for the circumstances. The team should carry out an air-check prior to attempting to extract the casualty from the space. In this instance, assume the casualty is not breathing and is not conscious.
• Strap the casualty into the stretcher for safe removal from the space.

SCBA Team 2:

• The backup SCBA team dons full SCBA and conduct all pre-entry tests in preparation to enter the space if required – for example if the primary team run low on air.

First Aid Team:

• Collect first aid equipment, including any mobile oxygen and CPR equipment, such as masks and guedel airways.
• On extraction, assess the casualty’s condition and commence CPR. Remember CPR can be done in teams as it is very tiring for those conducting it.

Hospital Team:

• Prepare the hospital for the arrival of the casualty, ready the oxygen unit and bed.

The debrief:

After the drill, everyone should help clear up, don’t leave this to one crew member.

The debrief should involve everyone. Discuss:

• Did everyone know their role and responsibilities and did everyone do what was expected of them?
• Did everyone know who deputises key roles as per the muster list?
• Discuss the time taken from the alarm being raised to casualty evacuation and administering medical treatment
• What went well?
• What problems were encountered and how can these be addressed?
• Were any equipment or procedural defects noted?
• Reinforce key safety messages, such as not racing in unprotected to try and save your shipmate

If there are any lessons learned, don’t waste them. Make sure they are recorded and put into practice.

Find out more

You can find the first part of this Drill Bits on enclosed space entry rescue training here.

Read our briefing on enclosed spaces here and our QuickFacts here.