What is the step immediately before checking the seal for a secure fit in the PBE procedure?

What is the step immediately before checking the seal for a secure fit in the PBE procedure?

• A. Pull hood down until headband is fitted to forehead
• B. Bend forward from waist, insert chin and pull across face and overhead
• C. Remove device from protective bag
• D. Tear off red pull strip

Answer: (A)

The essential thing before checking the seal is to position the hood so the headband sits on the forehead. Pulling the hood down until the headband is at the hairline frames the seal around the face, making it possible to test for leaks accurately. After this placement, you would then check the seal by exhaling gently to feel for any air escaping. The other steps—removing the device from its bag and tearing the red pull strip—occur earlier in the process to activate and ready the PBE, while bending forward and pulling the hood across the face describes parts of the donning motion but not the step right before verifying the seal.

The essential thing before checking the seal is to position the hood so the headband sits on the forehead. Pulling the hood down until the headband is at the hairline frames the seal around the face, making it possible to test for leaks accurately. After this placement, you would then check the seal by exhaling gently to feel for any air escaping. The other steps—removing the device from its bag and tearing the red pull strip—occur earlier in the process to activate and ready the PBE, while bending forward and pulling the hood across the face describes parts of the donning motion but not the step right before verifying the seal.