Donning an Ensemble
Establish a procedure and periodically practice donning a fully-encapsulating suit/SCBA ensemble or the PPE ensemble you use at your worksite.
Make sure someone assists in donning and doffing since the procedures may be difficult to perform alone, and solo efforts may increase the possibility of suit damage.
Below is a sample procedure for donning a fully encapsulating suit/SCBA ensemble. The procedure should be modified depending on the type of suit and/or when extra gloves and/or boots are used. These procedures assume the wearer has previous training in SCBA use and decontamination procedures.
Note: You will be required to don and doff ensembles during the 3-day field experience.
- Inspect the clothing and respiratory equipment before donning.
- Adjust hard hat or headpiece if worn, to fit user's head.
- Open back closure used to change air tank (if suit has one) before donning suit.
- Standing or sitting, step into the legs of the suit; ensure proper placement of the feet within the suit; then gather the suit around the waist.
- Put on chemical-resistant safety boots over the feet of the suit. Tape the leg cuff over the tops of the boots.
- If additional chemical-resistant boots are required, put these on now.
- Some one-piece suits have heavy-soled protective feet. With these suits, wear short, chemical- resistant safety boots inside the suit.
- Put on air tanks and harness assembly of the SCBA. Don the facepiece and adjust it to be secure, but comfortable. Do not connect the breathing hose. Open valve on air tank.
- Perform negative and positive respirator facepiece seal test procedures.
- To conduct a negative-pressure test, close the inlet part with the palm of the hand or squeeze the breathing tube, so it does not pass air, and gently inhale for about 10 seconds. Any inward rushing of air indicates a poor fit. Note a leaking facepiece may be drawn tightly to the face to form a good seal, giving a false indication of adequate fit.
- To conduct a positive-pressure test, gently exhale while covering the exhalation valve to ensure a positive pressure can be built up. Failure to build a positive pressure indicates a poor fit.
- Depending on type of suit:
- Put on long-sleeved inner gloves (like surgical gloves).
- Secure gloves to sleeves, for suits with detachable gloves (if not done before entering the suit).
- Additional overgloves, worn over attached suit gloves, may be donned later.
- Put sleeves of suit over arms as assistant pulls suit up and over the SCBA. Have assistant adjust suit around SCBA and shoulders to ensure unrestricted motion.
- Put on hard hat, if needed.
- Raise hood overhead carefully so as not to disrupt face seal of SCBA mask. Adjust hood to give satisfactory comfort.
- Begin to secure the suit by closing all fasteners on openings until there is only adequate room to connect the breathing hose. Secure all belts and/or adjustable leg, head, and waistbands.
- Connect the breathing hose while opening the main valve.
- Have assistant first ensure wearer is breathing properly and then make final closure of the suit.
- Have assistant check all closures.
- Have assistant observe the wearer to ensure the wearer is comfortable, psychologically stable and the equipment is functioning properly.
When donning a suit, use a moderate amount of a powder to prevent chafing and to increase comfort. Powder will also reduce rubber binding.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-4. Why is it important to have someone assist when donning SCBA ensembles?
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