HARTFORD, Conn. -- Local firefighters have tips for you to learn what it takes to survive potentially fatal fire and smoke.

Fire uses up the oxygen and produces smoke and poisonous gases that can kill. Fire officials said a fire's heat alone can kill someone, as room temperatures can reach 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level.

Inhaling the super-hot air can scorch your lungs, and the heat can melt clothes to your skin.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan was recently pre-fitted for a fireman's AirPac, a device that firefighters wear.

Hogan followed firefighters in a demonstration of fighting a fire on the second floor of a building. He said his heart rate and breathing climbed during the exercise.

The firefighters with whom Hogan trained reminded him to stay low and to get lower and lower as he felt more heat.

Firefighting Affects Bodies Of First Responders

Before the demonstration, Hogan's pulse was 66, his blood pressure was 130 over 70 and his oxygen level was at 90 percent.

Under ideal conditions, the air tank Hogan wore lasts for 20 minutes, giving him less than 10 minutes to get to the fire and 10 minutes to get back out.

After a minute and a half, Hogan was at 100 percent oxygen level, his heart rate was 136 and his blood pressure raised to 170 over 90.

"After fighting this fire for just 10 minutes, I was all done," Hogan said.

Having enough manpower is the key to fighting fires, and the initial four- or eight-person crew that answers fire calls put their lives on the line every day.

Firefighters Trained For Many Rescue Purposes

Firefighters have to get into the burning building, and they practice doing just that. Firefighters also practice how to vent a roof using a chain saw, or punch through structures with a grappling pole, or swing an axe to chop open a hole.

Firefighters don't just extinguish fires and rescue people, they also respond to car accidents and rescue people, ensuring that the injured remain immobilized throughout the operation.

Each year, thousands of house fires are caused by children playing with matches or lighters, according to national statistics. Instead of escaping the house, fire officials said many young children tend to hide under a bed or in a closet during house fires -- especially fires they have started.

More Information

Link: U.S. Fire Administration For Kids: Learn About Fire Safety

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