Always read the instructions

**trax** · 09-25-2009, 09:55 AM

Next week, I'm taking my entire staff (13 women, 2 guys) down to the fire department for fire extinguinsher use training. My rationale being that reading the instructions on a fire extinguisher while there's flames licking up the drapes doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I've had some fire fighting training in the past as some of you are aware, but the first training I received was quite an eye-opener for a lot of us who thought we could just spray a bunch of foam and put a fire out.

This led me to thinking (I can hear your collective gasp, people, that's cruel) a lot of folks keep posting on a whole plethora (I said plethora just for Ken) of different survival manuals. How well do you all really study them and/or do you take them in the field with you?

I've certainly always considered myself a "boots in the field" type because most of my wilderness training has been experiential, but just kind of wondering, if you're buying these books and manuals, are you getting the full benefit?

**Rick** · 09-25-2009, 10:04 AM

First, let me say cudos to you for the training. I did something similar for my team. You have to KNOW which extinguisher to use in which situation and how to use them. After all, it could be your life one of them saves. I've had the occasion to use one in action and having it saved my home.

Excellent question on the books. I either take the book with me or photocopy sections of the book if it's too big to carry. Obviously, some things are easy enough to remember and try them out but sometimes the details are just enough to keep you from being successful. Deadfalls are good examples as is navigation and weather related topics. Having pictures of clouds to compare against the sky is a great help.

Let us know how the training goes.

**trax** · 09-25-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

First, let me say cudos to you for the training. ....
Let us know how the training goes.

Thanks Rick, it just hit me one day after the fire chief came by for a building inspection, all these extinguishers are in place, but so what? I mean, I always make sure all my staff are up to date on their 1st Aid and CPR, but for purely selfish reasons. I figure with my diet, smoking and the amount of exercise I get that it's not a matter of if, but when I drop. I want someone right there who knows what to do.

I'll let you all know how it works out.

**dscrick** · 09-25-2009, 11:36 AM

I commend you for taking the initiative. Training is ALWAYS a good thing. When the SHTF you will always revert to your training. if you have no training, you will revert to.....nothing

**nell67** · 09-25-2009, 12:47 PM

Good planning MDT,as Rick said,having A fire extinguisher is a great idea,but do you have th RIGHT type of FI for the fire you encounter is even more important,as well as the knowledge on how to properly use it,chances are,if I had had a Fi in my kitchen,it probably would not have beenthe correct one for the fire I had,and the alternatves to use (yep most of us have suitable alternatives already in their kitchen) was NOT in the kitchen,but rather stored in my storage room/pantry,an unoccupied bedroom well away from the grease fire,and with my grandson in the house,I was not endagngering him to go rummaging around trying to dig it out to use it.

What is "it"??? I had a 50# bag of baking soda, a large quantity of salt,PLUS the lids to my pans were also stored in there as well,as smothering the flames would have been the next best solution......hindsight IS 20/20

**Pal334** · 09-25-2009, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by dscrick

I commend you for taking the initiative. Training is ALWAYS a good thing. When the SHTF you will always revert to your training. if you have no training, you will revert to.....nothing

The old military axiom: Train, Train , Train and when you think you know it, Train again!!!!! Always worked for me.

**Old GI** · 09-25-2009, 01:52 PM

I have a Fire Extinguisher Training certificate in my federal civil service file.

**crashdive123** · 09-25-2009, 02:02 PM

Nice job Trax.

As far as the books go - I just buy them for the pictures.

**Rick** · 09-25-2009, 02:08 PM

Now the truth comes out...

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**nell67** · 09-25-2009, 02:18 PM

Shame on you Crash.

**crashdive123** · 09-25-2009, 02:27 PM

You two have got to get you minds right. I was thinking more along these lines....

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscart...s/rhan550l.jpg

http://www.offthemarkcartoons.com/ca...2004-06-13.gif

**hunter63** · 10-02-2009, 06:16 PM

Good for you, having all the books in the world doesn't mean you know how to do something.
Nothing impresses some one than to actually "do it".

I have always heard that "Real men don't need no stinkin' destruction's", from a lot of people, but the same ones were always the ones that would come a ask, "Hey this doesn't work, see what you can do."

Got so bad, that back in the "factory days" I had a sign on my desk that said,
"Before you ask ,did you RTFM?"
I imagine most of you already know what this means, but for those that don't,
"Read the F------- manual".

Too many "book collectors", out there, but around here seems like a lot of "Do-ers"

**mountain mama** · 10-02-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by trax

my entire staff (13 women, 2 guys)

ok, I'm sorry, I know this is really off-topic, but....
trax, what kind of business are you in? Is it a business that requires a more feminine approach or do you just prefer being surrounded by women?

**trax** · 10-20-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by mountain mama

ok, I'm sorry, I know this is really off-topic, but....
trax, what kind of business are you in? Is it a business that requires a more feminine approach or do you just prefer being surrounded by women?

You seriously think I'm going to pick option b when mdn reads this every day? I run a social service delivery organization, most of my employees are in the counseling fields or are administrative staff. It's just worked out that we wound up with a majority of female staff members. The fire extinguisher training went brilliantly by the way, except one of my staff went up and started putting the fire about before the fire department guy had it lit for her, great success from her perspective I guess.

**crashdive123** · 10-20-2009, 09:36 PM

She was probably just thinking "why let it escalate into a full blown fire?"

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**trax** · 10-20-2009, 09:43 PM

OK, I hate to be mean, but this lady has only been working for me for about a month and she's really good at counselling the people she needs to work with because she works mostly with young mothers and she's just a sweet little old granny, but having said that ....I don't believe thinking actually factors in to an awful lot that she does around here.