Firefighter Technical Rescue 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In confined space rescue, what atmospheric hazard is most commonly fatal to would-be rescuers?
- Excess oxygen
- Oxygen deficiency (Correct answer)
- High humidity
- Cold temperatures
Correct answer: Oxygen deficiency
Oxygen deficiency kills many confined-space rescuers who enter without testing or SCBA.
Question 2: What is the minimum acceptable oxygen concentration for a normal breathable atmosphere in a confined space?
- 16.5%
- 19.5% (Correct answer)
- 21.0%
- 23.5%
Correct answer: 19.5%
OSHA defines 19.5% as the minimum safe oxygen level; below that is oxygen-deficient.
Question 3: During a trench rescue, at what depth does OSHA require a protective system?
- 3 feet
- 5 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 5 feet
Trenches 5 feet or deeper require shoring, sloping, or a trench box.
Question 4: What soil action is the leading cause of trench collapse fatalities?
- Erosion over weeks
- Sudden cave-in burying workers (Correct answer)
- Slow settling
- Surface dust
Correct answer: Sudden cave-in burying workers
A sudden cave-in can bury and crush a worker in seconds.
Question 5: Before entering a trench for rescue, spoil piles should be kept how far from the edge?
- At least 2 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 6 inches
- Directly at the edge
- Inside the trench
Correct answer: At least 2 feet
Spoil piles must be set back at least 2 feet to reduce edge loading and fall-in.
Question 6: What device is used to test confined-space atmospheres before entry?
- Thermal imaging camera
- Four-gas monitor (Correct answer)
- Pulse oximeter
- Sound meter
Correct answer: Four-gas monitor
A four-gas monitor checks oxygen, combustibles, CO, and hydrogen sulfide.
Question 7: In a permit-required confined space rescue, who must remain outside to track entrants?
- The incident commander only
- An attendant (Correct answer)
- A bystander
- No one is required
Correct answer: An attendant
An attendant stays outside monitoring entrants and initiating rescue if needed.
Firefighter Technical Rescue 2
In confined space rescue, what atmospheric hazard is most commonly fatal to would-be rescuers?