How is lack of confidence in SCBA best addressed?

Lack of confidence in the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is best addressed through a combination of time and training. Building confidence in any skill or equipment, especially in high-pressure environments like firefighting, requires adequate practice and familiarity.

This approach allows individuals to become more comfortable with the SCBA’s operational aspects, gain hands-on experience, and develop a deeper understanding of its functions. Through repeated use, firefighters can learn to trust their equipment, manage any issues that may arise during its use, and become proficient in operating it under various conditions. By fostering a solid foundation through consistent training, firefighters can build the psychological resilience necessary to rely confidently on their SCBA in life-threatening situations.

While peer support, physical training, and workload management are important factors in overall performance and safety, they do not directly target the specific issue of lack of confidence in operating SCBAs as effectively as the combined approach of time and training does.