3 Top Operation Priorities That Make Confined Space Rescue More Practical
Operating in confined spaces brings its own set of safety risks. It's always crucial to think about what you could do when someone gets injured when working in an area where there is little room for movement. Rescue efforts can become very complicated when you do not have enough space to turn around. Also, the spaces might have a limited air supply, which creates the additional risk of suffocation. If the confined space is an underground tunnel or a mine, you also have to worry because it may collapse at any time.
Therefore, you need a sensible rescue plan in case of such emergencies. Here are the three operation priorities that you should implement to make confined space rescue easier to accomplish.
Conducting Regular Rescue Drills
Simulation is the best way to figure out whether the rescue plan you have in place can work during an emergency. Rescue drills allow you to see the rescue plan that you have in place working. Professionals can help you create a simulated emergency that closely resembles an actual calamity. They will also observe your response and how your entire team behaves during the process. From the observations, they will make recommendations on what you should improve and what works out as it should.
Differentiate Between Time-Sensitive and Other Rescue Missions
One reason rescue missions in confined spaces might fail is that people do not understand the difference between time-sensitivity and other rescue plans. A rescue mission is time-sensitive when the confined space is also oxygen deficient. Time becomes even more crucial if there is a fire or the threat of collapse.
The first thing to do when preparing the rescue plan is a test for the possibility of oxygen deficiency. Choose rescue tools and equipment that can help the victims breathe as they wait for help. Supplemental oxygen will not be necessary if the place does not have a deficiency.
Keeping the Rescuers Out of Danger
Some rescue missions get complex when the rescue team also gets stuck in the confined space. Insist on the people doing the rescue to wear a full-body harness. The harness makes it possible to drag them out if they get overwhelmed when carrying out the rescue mission. It also prevents falls and other accidents.
It's sometimes tricky to know how you could rescue someone injured in a confined space, especially when you have not done it before. However, the crucial thing is to have a sound rescue plan to react immediately there is a distress call. The speed and efficiency of emergency response in confined spaces determine survival chances. Contact a confined space rescue service for more information.
