What should you do if you become lost or disoriented while fighting a fire?

If you become lost or disoriented while fighting a fire, following the hose line back to your entry point is the most effective and safest action to take. The hose line serves as a reliable guide to retrace your steps to the point of entry. This tactic relies on the understanding that the hose line leads back to safety, as firefighters typically lay down a line during entry which connects back to the outside.

The other options, while they may seem reasonable in certain contexts, do not provide the same level of assurance. Exiting the building immediately might be hazardous if you are not clear on the direction, as this could lead you deeper into danger. Calling for assistance on the radio could be an option, but if you're disoriented, you may not be able to provide clear enough information to get help promptly. Staying put and waiting for instructions can be ineffective if you're in a rapidly changing environment like a fire, as conditions may worsen and make it more difficult to be located. Therefore, following the hose line is a proven and established method for safely navigating back to safety in fire situations.