The puropose of the flashlight

I have great news! Your tax dollers continue to support the education of Canada's millitary with all the new developments. The top of my list: Although flashlights can be used to store batteries, they can also be used to illuminate darkened areas. Mirrors are handy things too when looking behind things. So these are some of the stupider things that I'm learning in my NETP class but this course is really starting to insult my intelligence.

Now, I understand that I've had the rare opportunity to sail before this course so I'm familiar with the workings of a ship already. But really, this course is rediculous. All you have to do to pass is breath. I loved the day we practiced the bos'n call for about 3 hours. For those who don't know, it's a special whistle that makes two tones. So all you have to do is blow and move your hand open and closed.

There were some highlights at the Damage Control school though. There's a big, three storey building that models a ship and it's used to train people to fight floods and fires. So for our flood day you get sent into this room with a helmet (my head loves helmets now) and some wooden wedges. Slowly stuff starts leaking. Pipes "break" and water rushes in from the bulkheads (walls) and from the deck (floor) so we go around hammering wedges into the holes, turning on pipes and more fun.

Then we fought some fires. They were controlled but real fires. I got to use 3 types of fire extinguishers which was pretty cool because you always see them every where and you have to resist the overwhelming desire to use them. Then we fought an "engine fire" down a hatch and ladder. That was hot. We wear bunker gear (just like the firefighters) and this breathing apparatus called a chem. ox. (chemical oxygen) that's been around since the 30's. All the air that you breath is held in these lungs that's strapped to your chest and you can't push on them or they'll deflate like balloons and you won't have any air to breath. The NAVY is supposed to be switching to SCBAs like normal firefighters but it's really expensive so I'm not counting on it.

So I am now qualified to fight fires on HMC ships. It's no saving the world or anything but nonetheless, I feel important.