What should a wearer do before donning the SCBA?

Before donning a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), it is essential for the wearer to prepare by donning the flash hood and ensuring it is properly positioned around the neck. This action serves several purposes. The flash hood provides protection against heat and flame, which is crucial in firefighting situations. By placing it around the neck before putting on the SCBA, the wearer ensures that the hood is correctly situated and ready to cover the head and face once the helmet is donned, thus providing optimal protection.

In addition, securing the flash hood properly minimizes the risk of it being displaced when the SCBA is put on, maintaining the protective barrier it offers against thermal hazards. This practice contributes to the overall safety of the user in a highly hazardous environment where immediate access to respiratory protection could be life-saving.

The other choices, while relevant to certain aspects of preparing to use an SCBA, do not focus on the critical step of adequately positioning the flash hood before donning the apparatus. Stretching or reviewing the operation manual might improve comfort or knowledge but are not priority activities directly related to the immediate protective requirements of putting on an SCBA. Ensuring the proper fit of the harness is also essential but comes after the initial crucial step of