dieseldog999:
it wuld have been better if it was towing a caravan,but in todays litigation minded society,who could have been sued for interfering? …argualbly mr dtosco driver,as the vw fanny wouldnt have been near the bus when it blew…and its arguable that if you start doing cpr etc and the dude pegs it,then you are responsible in some way or another for his death until proved you acted correctly.
It may have changed but I studied A Level law in the 1990s and was told that you cannot be held responsible for death or injury which occurs while giving first aid, even if you make an error, if you are acting in good faith.
Harry Monk:
I have three fire extinguishers on the boat, it’s a legal requirement. It never once occurred to me that I might need to be trained as a fireman to use one though, I thought it was as simple as pulling the safety pin out and squeezing the trigger while pointing it in the general direction of the object which was on fire. I’m obviously not up to speed with modern requirements.
iirc from past basic training, if using most extinguishers you should approach the seat of the fire upwind, then squat / bend down low before squeezing the trigger. This will stop the heat/smoke/flames blasting you in the face as It’s dispersed by the contents of the extinguisher, low down is where the oxygen is for you to breath. You shouldn’t stand over it and blast downwards unless you want burns on your legs/body/face from the fire.
And always make sure your using the correct type of extinguisher on the type of fire it’s intended for. No point trying to tackle a running fuel fire with a water extinguisher as you’d be ■■■■■■■ against thunder. Also electrical fires don’t mix well with water!
Pat Hasler:
As a once proud Tesco driver heading up the M6 one fine and sunny day I came across a VW camper on the hard shoulder, rear engine cover open and engine blazing happily, being a thoughtful man I pulled on the shoulder just past the afore mentioned vehicle, grabbed my Tesco issued fare extinguisher and ran back to be the hero, I pointed the device at the engine and squeezed the trigger and the driver talked to the authorities on an emergency phone near the scene, he was telling them, “It’s ok, a Tesco driver has just arrived with a fire extinguisher”
I sprayed the entire engine for a minute or so and the flame was stopped, to the relief of both myself and the driver, who hung up the phone and walked over to thank me, I walked back to my truck with the empty extinguisher and looked back to see a huge explosion, this time the whole camper van was ablaze and the guy ran for his life, having done my heroic I decided to get the hell out of there ASAP.
Pat Hasler:
As a once proud Tesco driver heading up the M6 one fine and sunny day I came across a VW camper on the hard shoulder, rear engine cover open and engine blazing happily, being a thoughtful man I pulled on the shoulder just past the afore mentioned vehicle, grabbed my Tesco issued fare extinguisher and ran back to be the hero, I pointed the device at the engine and squeezed the trigger and the driver talked to the authorities on an emergency phone near the scene, he was telling them, “It’s ok, a Tesco driver has just arrived with a fire extinguisher”
I sprayed the entire engine for a minute or so and the flame was stopped, to the relief of both myself and the driver, who hung up the phone and walked over to thank me, I walked back to my truck with the empty extinguisher and looked back to see a huge explosion, this time the whole camper van was ablaze and the guy ran for his life, having done my heroic I decided to get the hell out of there ASAP.
dieseldog999:
it wuld have been better if it was towing a caravan,but in todays litigation minded society,who could have been sued for interfering? …argualbly mr dtosco driver,as the vw fanny wouldnt have been near the bus when it blew…and its arguable that if you start doing cpr etc and the dude pegs it,then you are responsible in some way or another for his death until proved you acted correctly.
It may have changed but I studied A Level law in the 1990s and was told that you cannot be held responsible for death or injury which occurs while giving first aid, even if you make an error, if you are acting in good faith.
sees a decent common sense answer…prob correct.
i remember from years ago when i did a sport diver course that someone started cpr on another diver who pegged it and came to greif because he was involved,but i dont think itl ever be me doing the 1st aid anyway.
As an observation it is compulsory in France, Germany, and some other countries, to give assistance to a person in danger.
( “loi non-assistance à personne en danger” “Unterlassene Hilfeleistung”)
I think that`s a better way to arrange things than be like those countries where a doctor may be too afraid of litigation to assist someone. There is some danger from well meaning fools of course, but a person with a little common sense (yeah, OK…) and a little training given as part of the CPC (rather than dozing through some boring video) is surely a good thing?
smokinbarrels:
And always make sure your using the correct type of extinguisher on the type of fire it’s intended for. No point trying to tackle a running fuel fire with a water extinguisher as you’d be ■■■■■■■ against thunder. Also electrical fires don’t mix well with water!
Most extinguishers in trucks are the dry powder type & the main risk to the user is potential inhalation.
There is one issue with using your extinguishers to help others, certainly if running under ADR.
Technically you cannot drive your vehicle until the extinguisher has been replaced.
109LWB:
There is one issue with using your extinguishers to help others, certainly if running under ADR.
Technically you cannot drive your vehicle until the extinguisher has been replaced.
Yes you can. Blanket exemption can be given by the Emergency Services if the extinguisher has been used for a legitimate reason. It just needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
Also, a comment from above, there is now legal protection from prosecution in the UK for persons giving first aid (for about three years now), as long as their actions are reasonable, and for the patients best interests (i.e. giving CPR is fine, but DIY open heart surgery with a penknife at the side of the M6 isn’t!).
dozy:
Turned up too work too be presented with a few items they now want putting in cab , one being a fire extinguisher what do I want that for , fairly obvious if truck catches on fire it will help you extinguish it , I’m a bloody driver not a fireman , you keep the bloody thing and I’ll ring up fire brigade / you from a safe distance away you’re not even prepared too try and put the fire out , no it’s not my job and I’m not putting my health and safety at risk for a scabby old daf .
how much training do firemen do too do there job , yet they expect too chuck us a fire extingusher and put the fire out with no training , jobs gone too bloody pot
Bet it’s only you they’ve given one too you health hazard. Surprised they don’t make you carry the bugger round with you on a strap.
I’d say it’s common sense to carry a fire extinguisher!!!
Dozy wouldn’t get on driving buses/coaches where a fire extinguisher, first aid kit AND emergency window hammers have to be fitted by law, I think that would push him over the edge
DAF95XF:
I’d say it’s common sense to carry a fire extinguisher!!!
Dozy wouldn’t get on driving buses/coaches where a fire extinguisher, first aid kit AND emergency window hammers have to be fitted by law, I think that would push him over the edge
It’s common sense not to let Dozy anywhere near other animals, a bus, coach, or even a toffee hammer
Even the pallets probably squat a log when they see him stumble aboard up front
smokinbarrels:
And always make sure your using the correct type of extinguisher on the type of fire it’s intended for. No point trying to tackle a running fuel fire with a water extinguisher as you’d be ■■■■■■■ against thunder. Also electrical fires don’t mix well with water!
Most extinguishers in trucks are the dry powder type & the main risk to the user is potential inhalation.
I’d rather get a gob full of dry powder than a gob full of smoke.
, fairly obvious if truck catches on fire it will help you extinguish it 
