Horizontal Confined Space Rescue Quick Drill

A good friend of mine from a volunteer company once told about how hard was for them to get confined space rescue due to the logistics in finding a confined space prop or area well prepared to practice the skill; based on his argument I was thinking on how to make a "realistic " training using only tools, or materials usually at any fire station. For this horizontal confined space rescue training session at the Puerto Rico Air National Guard Fire and Emergency Services station, we used two MWS portable tanks, two salvage covers, rope, webbing, rigging equipment, PPE, mannequin, and lots of patience due to the emergency calls we had to respond that day. The objective for this session was to recover a conscious patient in a simulated horizontal tank entrance. Using the equipment on hand, we were able to prepare a team composed of two entry members, one team leader, haul team, and a belay person.
The practice included the size up, pre entry ops, entry operations, and termination. In addition, we were able to use some of the innovative equipment use in today's rescue environment such as the PETZL ID, equipment familiarization, mechanical advantage systems, alternative operations, commands, etc.
It is safe to say that with a little imagination, group motivation, and basic knowledge on a subject we can get great results, all we need is to give it a shot.
Be safe.