In certain operational situations, the hand lance may become unresponsive – for example due to a damaged cable or lost communication with the control unit. In such cases, Cobra can be operated in override mode, which allows manual control from the pump panel. This function is primarily intended for exceptional situations where continued operation is needed despite a technical fault.
When override mode is activated, the hand lance controls no longer function. Instead, all operation is managed manually from the control panel. This requires clear coordination and a structured team setup. The crew must take full responsibility for safe handling and shutdown and crucially, the hand lance must always be supervised and firmly aimed in a safe direction throughout the operation. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or harm.
Understanding Override in the Cobra System
Override is a manual operation mode that allows the Cobra pump to deliver water, and abrasive, independently of the hand lance trigger status. This function is activated at the Cobra control panel and should only be used by trained personnel under clearly defined conditions.
Override bypasses the safety switch and trigger functions on the hand lance. As a result, all safety and control responsibilities are transferred to the personnel on scene, and the system will continue to operate until it is manually shut off.
Typical situations where override may be required include:
- Loss of signal or physical damage to the lance or control cable
- A system malfunction that prevents normal trigger operation
- Simulated signal loss or fault scenarios during structured training
- Workshop testing or maintenance, where the lance is mounted in a safe area and the system is run to verify function
Override does not alter the performance of the Cobra system, it maintains the same flow and pressure. Its purpose is to allow temporary manual control of the system when normal communication between lance and unit is no longer available.
Override shall always follow local safety procedures and risk assessment. Its primary purpose is to serve as a backup during malfunctions or system disruptions, not to replace normal control functions.
Use of override should only be done following thorough risk assessment and clear procedural guidance.
Safe Use of Override – Team Roles and Communication
It is recommended to be a three-person team when operating Cobra in override mode, to ensure safety and coordination:
- Lance Operator – physically controls the hand lance and ensures the jet is always directed safely
- Assistant Lance Operator – maintains audio and visual contact between lance operator and pump operator to communicate commands
- Pump Operator – operates the Cobra control panel and responds to commands from lance operator
The Lance Operator is in charge of the situation, with the Assistant acting as the link to the pump. No one in the team should have any other duties while override is in use.
Communication should be clear, confirmed, and pre-agreed, whether it’s by radio, hand signals, or verbal commands. This is especially important in noisy or stressful situations where timing and coordination matter.
Training and Organisational Readiness
Even though override is rarely used, all Cobra operators should understand how it works, when it may be needed, and how to use it safely. The function should be practised in structured training environments, where crews can simulate realistic failure scenarios, test team communication, and rehearse shutdown procedures.
In some fire and rescue services, override mode is also used as a practical support function during longer incidents, where one team member may be assigned to Cobra for an extended period. In these cases, the hand lance can be securely mounted so that its effect can be utilised without someone physically holding it. This allows the team to free up personnel for other tasks on scene.
It is important to note that this approach is based entirely on each organisation’s own risk assessment and operational guidelines. As with all use of override, it must be supported by a well-prepared and dynamically managed risk analysis and used only by personnel who are trained and authorised. This method has been developed and refined by some of our users to meet specific operational needs.
Training builds familiarity and reduces hesitation, if override is ever required during a live incident. It also reinforces the importance of following operational roles and maintaining control in unexpected situations.
Key Takeaways – Cobra Override Use
Manual mode
Override ensures water flow when standard hand lance communication is lost or unavailable.
Bypasses all safety barriers
Trigger and safety switch are disabled; manual control and safe direction are critical.
Training is essential
Override should be practised under supervision before it is ever used in the field.
