PBE hood donned within how many seconds of opening?

• A. Hood should be donned within 8 seconds of opening.
• B. 2 seconds.
• C. 60 seconds.
• D. 30 seconds.

Answer: (A)

In a smoke-filled cabin, protecting your airway quickly is critical. The PBE hood is designed to be donned very fast so you can start breathing clean air the moment you open the kit. The target is to have the hood on within eight seconds of opening, because every second you delay increases exposure to smoke and heat and reduces your ability to stay calm and perform other safety tasks.

Eight seconds is achievable with practice, as you quickly break the seal, remove the hood, place it over your head, seal it, and confirm airflow. Times much longer than that—like thirty or sixty seconds—leave you exposed longer and can compromise both your safety and your ability to assist others. While two seconds might seem ideal, it’s not realistically doable for properly positioning and sealing the hood.