Have you ever practiced making a mayday call? Don’t assume that you’ll never face such a situation. Emergencies can happen to anyone on the job.

What Is a Mayday?

“Mayday” is an internationally recognized distress signal used in radio communication to indicate a life-threatening emergency. The term comes from the French phrase “venez m’aider,” meaning “come help me.” It is widely used in situations where human lives are in imminent danger, such as by police, pilots, firefighters, and transportation operators.

To avoid misunderstandings in noisy environments, “Mayday” is always repeated three times:
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”

Definition of Mayday in the U.S.

In the U.S., a mayday situation is defined as:
A scenario where a firefighter is unable to safely exit a danger zone or resolve an issue within 30 seconds.

Firefighters are empowered to make a mayday call whenever they encounter an accident or serious trouble on the job. Early recognition and declaration of a mayday situation are critical because delays reduce the chances of a successful resolution.

Why Maydays Happen

Statistics show that firefighter fatalities occur every year, often due to structural collapses, falls, or disorientation in large or open-plan spaces. These environments can create confusion and expose firefighters to extreme temperatures, further increasing the risk of entrapment or injury.

When such emergencies arise, stress levels spike, and rational thinking may decline. Sensory perception like vision and hearing can also become impaired. In these moments, firefighters rely on ingrained skills developed through training to respond effectively.

The Importance of Training

Mayday training isn’t overly complicated, but it must be done correctly to be effective. During high-stress, time-sensitive situations, the brain operates differently than it does during everyday decision-making. Instead of weighing options logically, the brain shifts to recognition-primed decision-making (RPDM).

RPDM, first described in 1993 by Dr. Gary Klein, means that the brain automatically compares the current situation to past experiences and simulates potential actions, choosing the one that seems most appropriate. For this reason, realistic training is essential for firefighters to prepare for a wide range of possible scenarios.

When to Call Mayday

Firefighters must pre-determine when to declare a mayday because making this decision in a high-stress moment can be challenging. A predefined list of scenarios simplifies decision-making and removes the hesitation caused by ego or self-doubt.

Key Mayday Situations

• Becoming disoriented or losing direction without quick resolution.
• Falling from a significant height.
• Being in an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environment when the low-air alarm activates.
• Becoming stuck or trapped without quick escape.

When any of these occur, prioritize calling for help immediately rather than analyzing the situation. A mayday call increases your chances of survival and provides more options for rescue.

How to Train for Mayday Calls

Here’s a simple training protocol to improve firefighters’ ability to call mayday in emergencies:

Step 1: Preparation

Ensure all firefighters wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) and have a portable radio.

Step 2: Controlled Stress

Simulate stress-inducing scenarios that slightly impair cognitive function, such as reducing visibility or increasing body temperature. Avoid overly intense drills that could cause PTSD or harm.

Step 3: Declare Mayday

Firefighters practice declaring a mayday by repeating “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” and waiting for acknowledgment from the command team. It’s essential to capture the command team’s attention first, as radio interference and noise at the scene can drown out messages.

Step 4: Communicate Information

Follow a standardized model to provide clear information:

• Who: Unit name and individual name.
• What: What happened?
• Where: Location or estimated position.
• Air: Remaining air supply.

The U.S. standard model, LUNAR, can also be used:

• L: Location – Where are you? Entry points, stairs, etc.
• U: Unit – Your fire station or team.
• N: Name – Your full name.
• A: Air – Air supply remaining.
• R: Resources – Equipment or teams needed for rescue.

Step 5: Activate Rescue Signals

Firefighters should practice activating and deactivating rescue signals, such as PASS alarms, to aid rescuers in locating them.

Guidelines for Effective Training

• Observe and guide: Monitor participants closely and intervene calmly if mistakes occur.
• Avoid bad habits: Ensure no one removes gloves or SCBA masks during drills.
• Gradual intensity: Start slow, then increase speed and complexity as participants improve.
• Respect boundaries: Avoid shouting or excessive stress, as this can instill harmful habits and increase fatal risks in real scenarios.

Conclusion

Effective mayday training can mean the difference between life and death in a real emergency. By setting clear parameters, practicing procedures, and maintaining realistic conditions, firefighters can be better prepared to respond effectively when it matters most.

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