EMSWORLD.com | APRIL 2016 41
out coat, making sliding or pulling more difficult.
To avoid excessive movement, there are methods
in which a turnout coat may be partially cut to
facilitate removal. If the firefighter is supine or
still lying on the SCBA, one method is to start at
the wrist and cut up the sleeve, turning into the
torso around the armpit. This avoids any padding,
pockets or clips (Figure 4).
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Figure 4
Figure 5
If the SCBA has been removed and the firefighter
is on his side, another method is to cut straight
up the back. Again, there are no pockets, clips or
other impediments. As stated earlier, turnout gear
is meant to resist rips and tears. Adding to the prob-
lem: a typical engine or squad doesn't carry a wide
variety or cutting implements. The choices would
generally be bolt cutters, seat belt cutters or trauma
shears. Bolt cutters are impractical, and seat belt
cutters may bunch up the material and become
stuck. The coat in Figure 4 was cut with standard
trauma shears. If done in two motions—cutting
the outer shell, and then cutting the thermal
liner and moisture barrier—this method may
work well. Obviously, it's slower than cutting
street clothes, but it may be done fairly quickly.
Remember that after cutting the outer shell,
one will probably see the exposed DRD, which
is normally between 1–5 cm wide and 1–4
mm thick, and may simply be cut when seen.
After using one of these methods of cutting,
the turnout coat may be pulled off with a
minimum of patient movement, accom-
plishing the goal. With the turnout coat
gone, the suspenders may be easily cut or