If you’ve asked people what their biggest fear is, you’ll get many different answers, ranging from earthquakes to bugs to heights to many other things. But, one universal reaction that we all have to something we know is dangerous is fire. We instinctively move away from it, afraid of the potential damage it could cause. As such, we’ve fought against it throughout history. We’ve always used water or tried to do our best, usually fruitlessly. However, nowadays, to combat the fire, we’ve developed extensive specialised technology. Our results have produced from fire trucks to infrastructure to clothes. We even have powerful and strong fire alarm systems.
Yet, not every private individual can own all of these. They require a lot of licenses and valid reasons to use. Although our country is plagued by many fires, especially bushfires, we’re limited to what we can do. Nonetheless, there is one set of equipment that we can get with no problem whatsoever. That set is firefighting clothes, which are easy to use and bring many benefits. With that in mind, I decided to write this article on what clothes you can get, what they do, and why you should get them. I’ll focus on fire helmets, full-body clothes, goggles, etc.
Contents
Helmets
The most recognisable piece of equipment worn by firefighters. It’s also the first one I’ll talk about. If you’re wondering why the fire helmet and not the other clothes are first, the answer is that it serves many purposes and brings even more benefits. I’ll get into that now.
Purposes
If you’ve ever been in a fire or near it, you know that there are many cinders and other falling objects as a result of things burning. Cinders are especially harmful as they can fall on your face or eyes, leading to permanent damage. Or even worse, inside of your clothes where they can burn your skin or set your clothes on fire. Furthermore, helmets provide limited protection to your eyes and face, not just from the cinders but from the heat and the smoke that comes. Of course, the level of protection depends on your choice of a helmet and the material. Nonetheless, most helmet materials are durable and heat-resistant, the two most important features.
Benefits
Aside from the obvious benefit of safety and fewer injuries, two less-common advantages are that it lets you think critically in the worst moment, and you can endure more in the fire. Therefore, the firefighting helmet can make the crucial difference between making the right choices or not. Also, it allows you to have the ability to do so.
Models
There are many various types of models to choose from, and as such, your choice of a fire helmet must correspond to your needs. The most common one and the perfect one for you if you’re a supervisor in a business is the fire warden helmet. It’s durable and has a fire warden written on it so that it catches everyone’s attention. Furthermore, it comes with 12 ventilation holes so that you have increased airflow during the fire. If you want to get some extra equipment with it, you can also get a fire warden vest that’s in neon yellow.
On the other hand, if you’re at risk by bushfires and need maximum protection, you can get a wildlands fire fighting helmet. To digress, if you’re plagued by bushfires, your best option is a water pump as it provides the strongest prevention. Going back to the wildlands helmet, it has many great beneficial features. It comes with a lightweight fibreglass shell for extra protection and a fire-retardant neck curtain. Protection-wise, these are the best add-ons you could ask for as they protect your neck from any possible threat and ensure your face is not overcome by smoke. Lastly, to guarantee that it sticks properly on your head, it comes with a chin strap with wide webbing, and it has a quick-release buckle button. All of which is compatible with gloves and goggles.
Finally, if you want a helmet that will cover up the entirety of your face and some portion of your upper body, you can get a hood. Some are made with double-layered A long notched shoulder bib and have a longer length, so they always stay tucked in and fit with all the rest of your equipment.
Trousers and Jacket
The body is also sensitive and can easily bear burns. Luckily, manufacturers make special trousers and jackets to prevent this. They’re noticeable due to their neon yellow colour, so they’re easily spottable in the fire. But there’s much more to them. They’re specifically designed for bushfires and prevent radiant heat. Consequentially, they’re a loose fit that allows air circulation. Plus, they prevent heat stroke.
All of this is a result of them being double-layered to repel heat and wick away moisture. Moreover, they come with many pockets, which can be a life-saver in tricky situations. If you need your radio, phone, flashlight or anything else, they’ll be available at all times. That said, you should make sure that your choice of trousers and jackets match your body. Specifically, their length matches the length of your chest for jackets and the length of your legs for trousers.
Goggles and Gloves
If you want to protect your hands and ensure that they’re safe, you should get gloves so that you have the necessary protection. All of them come heavily insulated and they’re flame retardant and heat resistant. They also stretch past your wrist so that you can carry hot objects as you walk through the fire. However, make sure that they’re the right size. You do this by measuring your hand at your knuckles and ensuring they feel snug and right for you to use.
On the other hand, goggles provide that much-needed protection for your eyes. Some helmets with visors are also good, but nothing beats goggles. They’re slash-proof, have molten metal and hot solids resistance, heat-resistant and offer fire protection. Essentially, they offer everything you will need. And as an extra precaution, they’re anti-fog, so you’ll always have your vision.