Rescue your mate?

[chesters1]

luckily i dont have any so dropping a lit match down could result in finding out if its gas and blowing out the guy down there

[Ken Davison South Wales]

It's called making an assesement at the time, just like that bloke did. Don't think you would have a problem with the gas you are thinking of at that shallow depth Ken.

 

Your probably right but you should ensure others are there to assist if you get a problem.

 

On processing plants it is very important because of the wide spectrum of fumes, they can even turn up in buildings.

[poledark]

I would send for a PCSO and when he/she arrives without breathing apparatus and refuses to risk his/her own life, I would bitch about it on AN........

 

 

Den

[billy50000]

i voted calling for help but that all depends on the situ.

 

if he`s calling or graoning then call for help but saying that you`d need help to lift him up a thin 6ft ladder..

 

sod the gas issue,that would`nt be on my high priority list(my safty etc)

 

first thing is to check if his face is in the water etc and clear it,then call

Edited January 15, 2008 by billy50000

[ayjay]

I'd wait till the batteries on his Walkman gave out and then try shouting again.

[Dan]

I'd wait till the batteries on his Walkman gave out and then try shouting again.

 

 

I like that one!

 

 

Seriously though, while I can understand the thought, I didnt say loved one because I assume a child would be most likely to fall but if your mate was supposed to be there and had collapsed you'd really be making a BIG mistake to go down after him. Even in a small chamber gas can be a serious problem, if it was and if you tried to recover him you'd both be dead.

 

All I'm trying to say is if the standard drill to take proper equipment you do so, to otherwise is just plain stupid and dangerous.

 

The coastguard disregarded his own safety - either there was no real risk and no ropes were needed but neither was the emergency time critical or he didnt know what the risk was or know there was a risk - then he should have taken them. He admits he made a mistake. No where has anyone said those seconds/minutes were vital to save the girl however scared she was.

 

Interesting comment by the MCA press office tho. Copied here:

 

 

It is simply not true that Mr. Waugh been personally the subject of an investigation over this incident. We have not taken any action against Mr. Waugh nor do we plan to. We do not know why Mr Waugh has decided to use local radio to tell us he is leaving the Coastguard Rescue Service. We have had no formal confirmation from him.

 

Maritime & Coastguard HQ Press Office

 

 

 

Dan

Edited January 15, 2008 by Dan

[Dan]

Have to say Dan it is very specific and applies to a certain area of industry where the staff should be fully trained in safety procedures, your plot also applies to large tanks even open ones.

 

Here is one for you: When driving in a refinery processing plant what is the one thing you must never do?

 

 

errr Smoke?! Start the ignition? I'd go for pedal cars only!

[Ken Davison South Wales]

errr Smoke?! Start the ignition? I'd go for pedal cars only!

 

Never switch the engine off whilst inside proccessing area and if it stops never ever try to start it

 

The whole deal regarding Mr. Waugh is strange to say the least, I now have it figured as some sort of background problem, something not gelling some where, knives out etc.

[Dan]

Well I got half right! I agree about Mr Waugh, from the start it didnt hang together properly, least not what was in the papers :rolleyes:

[Jeff S]

My two cents..

 

Six feet is shallow enough to hold your breath long enough to access the situation. Having been confined space trained in the UK. The O2 level needs to be around 21%. It becomes hazardous at 19.5%. You will get ringing in the ears, shortness of breath and other symptoms before you lose conciousness. Various gases to worry about like C02 and Nitrogen. Both, if memory serves, displace oxygen so just sticking your head in the hole can cause you to lose conciousness.

 

The training stated that if there was ever an incident where there was someone in the space that needed assistance you were to call but this is one of those judgment calls I think.

 

I know where this is leading. Had the circumstances been a bit different (the hole deeper, combustable gases that could be detected by smell) I would have called first.