Confined Space Communications

How does your team communicate within confined spaces. What eqt. works...and what doesn't?

Communications in confined space is handked with a Con Space brand communications system. The system handles 4 rescuers and the Entry Team Officer. The communications line is routed to the teams through an "umbilical" , which is nothing more than 2" tubular webbing with the com cable, 7/16" lifeline and supplied air hose in it. Having all the hoses in this "umbilical" makes line managment a breeze and for emergency removal, prussics may be attached to the umbilical for hauling.

Back on the topic at hand...The communications system includes ear pieces and throat mics for each rescuer, and a headset for the Entry Officer. There is also a speaker box for listening to communications w/o the headset. The teams are seperated at a junction box. This box enables the Entry Officer to speak to either the primary team or the back-up team or both. In some instances you wouldnt want both teams to hear some transmissions. For a team of 4, (primary and back up team) there is 200' of "umbilical" per person. We have found this system to work phenoninally well.

Glad to hear Con Space has done something different with their product. I was able to try it a few years ago at the ROCO Rescue Team Performance Evaluations. The cable for each user was separated so you had wire going everywhere.

Another problem was everyone on the system was on a 'hot mike' so the rescuer constantly talking to the patient could be heard by everyone and you couldn't get a word in to ensure a safe operation.

It was a pain to put it midly. So bad that we never even considered it or looked to see how it could be made better.

We use radios now, but based on E33's post, they may have it squared away. The next time we look at purchase for something like this, we will evaluate them.

I may not have made it clear about the "umbilicals". They were homemade deals, we ordered the webbing and fed the cable, rope and air hose through it. It works great.

Before you made your own umbilicals, did you experience the same type of problem?

We actually used this system from the start. We figured that there needed to be a way to simplify line managment, and as we usually do when obtaining new equipment, sat down and thought it out. It pays off bigtime!!

We also use the Conn-Space communication system in a home made set-up that sounds almost identical to E33. We also only have 100 feet for each entry member pre-rigged (most of our incidents would be in a space less than 100 ft from opening). In the rare occasion we have to go further, we have portable air-line reels each with 200 ft of line that can be added to the existing pre-rigged stuff (remember only 300 ft from the opening). We also have additional hardwire for the Conn-Space, & 8mm cordage for lifeline. All the "unpackaged" stuff is tied together using nylon automotive ties if we have to get that far. It's not pretty, & not as easy to deal with as the pre-rigged stuff, but it gets the job done.

BTW: This is strictly my opinion, but the Conn-Space system is the ONLY way to go. We tried using just handheld radios and it was totally useless. It was always in the way (as if there isn't enough "junk" to take in the hole already), you have to keep stopping to listen & talk, & our radios were'nt explosion proof. It was just a REAL pain.

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IAFF 995
When it has to be done right,
CALL THE RESCUE CO.!!!!!