FCOA Fire fighter course

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The FCOA Fire Fighter course is a prerequisite to become an FCOA YACHT MASTER

Practical training:

After you complete this quiz we will spend about an hour on fire fighting drills:

1. Blind folded apnea walk (walk trough smoke)

2. Extinguishing different fires

3. Treating burns

WARNING: Only try to control small fires, once they are to big: EVAQCUATE

Rapid Development: If a fire is not contained within the first two minutes, it is generally considered uncontrollable.

Evacuation

Is often the safest option, especially when you have passengers to take care of. If you commit early to evacuate you will have more time to get your survival equipment together. If possible, make a last mayday call. Most long-distance sailors have a grab bag that contains their passport, documents, satellite phone and emergency foods. When in open ocean get on your dingy or life raft and stay far up wind of the burning boat far enough to not get effected if something explodes. Be aware that floating fuel could catch fire also. Often boats just keep floating especially if they are made of metal. Once there is nothing to burn anymore the fire will stop. Rescue workers will find you easier if you stay near the abandoned boat.

Smoldering Time: Fires can smolder for hours in hidden, unoccupied areas, such as wiring conduits or engine bays, before breaking into open flames.
Persistence: Even after extinguishing, a boat fire can flare up again, requiring monitoring for several hours to ensure the structure has fully cooled.

Entering Smoke Filled Rooms
If you decide to try and control the fire or go in to rescue someone and if your a freediver then sit down and slow down your heart rate for 30 second so you can hold your breath longer. If there is an old water jug to breath from it could help. A dive mask could help to protect your eyes from smoke. Wrap a wet T-shirt about your guiding hand. Wear cotton material if available. If you have a guide line or rope available it could help with your exit.

Go in slowly. Move one step at a time. Count your steps. Keep one hand against the wall.

Guard your head. Swipe in front of you to detect objects.

How to practice:

These skills can get practiced with blind folded apnea walks in your house with a buddy next to you to make sure you don't trip or fall.

Firefighting on sailboats is a critical aspect of maritime safety. Here are some essential steps and procedures to follow in the event of a fire:

By following these procedures and maintaining a well-prepared crew, the risks of fire on sailboats can be significantly reduced, ensuring the safety of personnel and the integrity of the vessel.

FIRE CLASSES

Class A Fires

A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics. These materials burn and leave behind an ash. Water is generally the most effective extinguishing agent for Class A fires as it works primarily by cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature and smothering the fire by forming a vapor barrier, reducing the oxygen supply. Foam and dry chemical extinguishers labeled for Class A fires can also be used, offering a combination of cooling and smothering effects.

Class B fires

involve flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, oil, grease, paint, solvents, propane, and similar materials. These fires burn hot and spread fast because the fuel can flow. Water is not recommended for Class B fires as it doesn't mix with oil and can float on top, splash burning fuel across a wider area. Instead, CO2, dry chemical, and foam extinguishers are used to smother the fire by creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen or interrupting the chemical reaction of combustion.

USA Fire Departments

Class C fires

involve live electrical equipment such as wiring, circuit panels, appliances, motors, transformers, and circuit breakers. These fires can be dangerous as using a conductive agent like water can turn the worker into a path for electrical current. CO2 and dry powder extinguishers are both non-conductive and appropriate for Class C fires.

Class D fires

Class D fires involve combustible metals as the fuel for the fire. Class D fires could occur at metal drafting industries but are rare to happen anywhere else.

Class K fires

are specifically fires fueled by combustible cooking media, such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and other high-temperature cooking oils used in commercial kitchens. These fires are particularly dangerous because cooking oils can reach their autoignition temperature—the point at which they ignite spontaneously very quickly, often between 375–450°F (191–232°C) depending on the type of oil. Once ignited, these fires can spread rapidly and are difficult to control with standard fire extinguishers or water. If the fire is small then turn of the heat source and use a fire blanket or a class K rated fire extinguisher DO NOT USE WATER.

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The Grab Bag
Sailors often prepare a grab bag. A grab bag should contain a variety of essential items to ensure safety and survival in case of an emergency.

Here's a list of what should be included:

1. Mobile Phone with Navionics and maps Preinstalled. In a Tupperware box.

2. Passport, credit card, boat documents Especially when you're in international waters

3. Flares and Signalling Equipment: Visual distress signals are critical. Include at least one flare and a signaling mirror.

4. VHF Radio or EPIRB/PLB: These tools can help alert search and rescue services and guide them to your location.

5. Emergency Food and Water: Even a few small provisions can make a big difference.

6. Basic First Aid Kit: Include essentials for treating minor injuries and stabilizing more serious ones until help arrives.

7. Warmth and Survival Items: Exposure is a serious risk at sea. Include warm clothing and survival gear.
8. Waterproof torch
9. Rope
10. Knife

It's important to regularly check expiration dates on perishables and replenish supplies as necessary. The grab bag must remain readily accessible and lightweight for easy transport.

What Items do you already have ready for your grabbag?

You have evacuated a burning boat. Your now on a life raft with 3 passengers watching the fire from a distance.

Make a plan for the next 24 hours and share it with us.

The fire triangle consists of three essential components—fuel, heat, and oxygen—that must be present simultaneously for a fire to start and continue. Removing any single element will extinguish the fire. The model illustrates that fires can be prevented or controlled by removing or separating these ingredients.

Fuel: Combustible material in solid, liquid, or gas form (e.g., wood, paper, gasoline, curtains)

Heat: Energy required to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature, causing combustion (e.g., sparks, friction, open flames, hot surfaces).

Oxygen: A surrounding oxidizerd

Removing Fuel: Removing the combustible material (e.g., stopping a fuel line).Removing Heat: Cooling the fire, usually with water or specialized foam, to reduce its temperature below the ignition point.Removing Oxygen: Starving the fire, often by smothering it with a fire blanket, foam, or displacing it with carbon dioxide

Note: While the fire triangle represents the basic ingredients, the "Fire Triangle vs Fire Tetrahedron | Human Focus" adds a fourth component—the chemical chain reaction—which is often referred to as the fire tetrahedron, covering how a fire spreads.