When removing the PBE, what is the correct sequence?

• A. After oxygen has been exhausted or fire is out; Place both hands inside neck seal, beneath the chin and guide PBE up and over your head; After removing hood, run fingers through hair (shake hair) to remove oxygen.
• B. Remove hood only after using portable oxygen.
• C. Wait for crew member to assist; remove hood.
• D. Remove hood immediately when oxygen starts to feel cool.

Answer: (A)

When removing a PBE, you prioritize confirming that the external environment is safe before taking the hood off. Once oxygen is exhausted or the fire is out, you can remove the hood in a controlled way to avoid exposing yourself to contaminated air.

Use both hands to reach inside the neck seal beneath the chin and guide the PBE up and over your head, lifting it away from you in one smooth motion. After the hood is off, run your fingers through your hair to shake out any residual oxygen and clear your head before moving on.

This approach is best because it ensures you don’t re-enter smoky or oxygen-deficient air while removing the hood, and it allows for a clean, controlled take-off without snagging the hood. Waiting for portable oxygen, waiting for a crew member, or removing the hood based on how cool the oxygen feels can all lead to unsafe removal timing.