Coast Guard Exams
Question 826Deck Safety70% to pass

When fighting a fire on a bulkhead using a portable carbon dioxide extinguisher, the stream should be directed at the _______________.

AI Explanation
The correct answer is B) the base of the flames, moving the horn from side to side, following the flames upward as they diminish. The reasoning behind this is that when fighting a fire with a carbon dioxide extinguisher, the stream should be directed at the base of the flames in order to displace the oxygen feeding the fire. By sweeping the horn from side to side and following the flames upward as they diminish, the carbon dioxide can effectively smother and extinguish the fire. The other options are incorrect because: A) directing the stream at the center of the flaming area would not effectively displace the oxygen at the base; C) directing the stream at the top of the flaming area would not smother the fire; and D) directing the stream vertically from bottom to top would not provide the sweeping motion needed to follow and extinguish the flames.

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