--- title: How to Load a Flatter Supply Line with the 'Bloomin’ Onion' Method description: "Learn how the \"Bloomin’ Onion\" method helps firefighters load flatter, neater supply lines, eliminating trapped air and ensuring readiness." image: https://blog.tft.com/hubfs/Sequence%2070.00_05_22_01.Still002.jpg --- [![Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo](https://blog.tft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png?width=150&height=56&name=lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png "Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo")](https://tft.com/) Search toggle - [Home](https://tft.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.tft.com/posts) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC147gP-lbmbVCmfKdg6VaEQ) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/125437127512874) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/taskforcetips) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1414962) [![Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo](https://blog.tft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png?width=150&height=56&name=lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png "Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo")](https://tft.com/) - [Home](https://tft.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.tft.com/posts) Search toggle [![Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo](https://blog.tft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png?width=150&height=56&name=lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png "Task Force Tips - Fire Fighting Equipment - Logo")](https://tft.com/) - [Home](https://tft.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.tft.com/posts) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC147gP-lbmbVCmfKdg6VaEQ) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/125437127512874) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/taskforcetips) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1414962) Search toggle What are you looking for? Search # How to Load a Flatter Supply Line with the 'Bloomin’ Onion' Method 11 Aug 2025 ![Picture of Task Force Tips](https://blog.tft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TFT%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Square%20No%20Bottom%20Text.png?width=40&name=TFT%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20Square%20No%20Bottom%20Text.png) [Task Force Tips](https://blog.tft.com/posts/author/tft) ![](https://blog.tft.com/hubfs/Sequence%2070.00_05_22_01.Still002.jpg) **Summary:** The “Bloomin’ Onion” hose loading method flattens supply lines in the hose bed, eliminates trapped air, and creates a cleaner, neater hose lay. Starting with a donut roll, pull slack from the top layer, fold to alternating sides, and repeat. This simple alternating fold technique prevents the lumpy, uneven hose bed caused by trapped air and makes your rig look squared away. [![Watch the "Hydrant Water Supply" Series](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46942026/interactive-194267758736.png)](https://blog.tft.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJC9qSmi6H7m4iQ25UjHPPIiGD1tcf7QW6TuAghRo4iI7Ndjeu5EN6c330IOyYCI%2BVUP5Ekt7ulrzCTSmuu1RC%2FXQ7NIuLGBrFvgzC%2B5Kd%2Bkw8NSizi%2BOp4pXWhsilymoWc6ycO14R5%2FkBCl4FNKkB%2FysMuy3EzU1GzAcOgKD8aaAC6P8YbF6ai8GFI0nnzxx72ZrbXnU%2Fl&webInteractiveContentId=194267758736&portalId=46942026) [Leave a Comment](https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method#comments) # How to Load a Flatter Supply Line with the “Bloomin’ Onion” Method When your supply line in the bed looks like a rattlesnake under a blanket, it’s not just ugly—it can also slow you down. Bubba Steele of Rutherford County (TN) Fire shows an easy fix: the “Bloomin’ Onion” method. This fold-and-alternate loading style lays your hose flatter, keeps the air out, and makes your hose bed look inspection-ready every time. ## Step One: Start with a Donut Roll Complete a full donut roll of your supply line. This sets you up for the cleanest lay possible. ## Step Two: Pull Slack from the Top Layer Grab the top layer of hose and pull just enough slack to work with. ## Step Three: Alternate Your Folds Fold the hose to the left, then the right, alternating each time. This helps the hose settle evenly in the bed. ## Step Four: Keep the Air Out Avoid pulling one end all the way back across the load, which can trap air in the hose. The alternating folds naturally push air out, keeping your supply line tight and ready. ## Why It Works The alternating folds spread the hose weight evenly, which stops bulging and lumping. With the air pushed out, your hose rides flatter and deploys more predictably when it matters. ## End Result: A Cleaner, Squared-Away Rig A tidy hose bed isn’t just about looks—it’s about performance. With the “Bloomin’ Onion” method, you’ll have a supply line that’s ready to work without the mess or the fight. ## Keep Sharpening Your Skills For more tips on overcoming hydrant water supply issues, watch our “Hydrant Water Supply” series and learn proven techniques to keep water flowing no matter the challenge. [![Watch the "Hydrant Water Supply" Series](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46942026/interactive-194267758736.png)](https://blog.tft.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJC9qSmi6H7m4iQ25UjHPPIiGD1tcf7QW6TuAghRo4iI7Ndjeu5EN6c330IOyYCI%2BVUP5Ekt7ulrzCTSmuu1RC%2FXQ7NIuLGBrFvgzC%2B5Kd%2Bkw8NSizi%2BOp4pXWhsilymoWc6ycO14R5%2FkBCl4FNKkB%2FysMuy3EzU1GzAcOgKD8aaAC6P8YbF6ai8GFI0nnzxx72ZrbXnU%2Fl&webInteractiveContentId=194267758736&portalId=46942026) ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=How%20to%20Load%20a%20Flatter%20Supply%20Line%20with%20the%20'Bloomin’%20Onion'%20Method) [Hydrant Water Supply](https://blog.tft.com/posts/tag/hydrant-water-supply), [Hydrant Valves](https://blog.tft.com/posts/tag/hydrant-valves) ## Task Force Tips [Follow me on my website](https://tft.com/) [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TaskForceTips/) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1414962) ## Comments ## Related posts Search [How Should You Approach an Attic Fire?](https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-should-you-approach-an-attic-fire) [How to Burp Draft When Your Primer Fails](https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-burp-draft-when-your-primer-fails) Search ![trending-report-logo](https://blog.tft.com/hubfs/trending-report-logo.png "trending-report-logo") ## Stay Ahead of the Heat! #### Delivering the Latest Gear, Tactics, & Videos ### © 2025 Task Force Tips ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Task Force Tips", "url" : "https://blog.tft.com/posts/author/tft" }, "dateModified" : "2025-08-22T18:22:00.452Z", "datePublished" : "2025-08-11T16:19:35.000Z", "headline" : "How to Load a Flatter Supply Line with the 'Bloomin’ Onion' Method", "image" : [ "https://blog.tft.com/hubfs/Sequence%2070.00_05_22_01.Still002.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.tft.com/posts/how-to-load-a-flatter-supply-line-with-the-bloomin-onion-method", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.tft.com/hubfs/lettermark-HUBSPOT-LARGE.png" }, "name" : "Task Force Tips" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "caption" : { "@type" : "MediaObject", "contentUrl" : "https://blog.tft.com/media-transcripts/194160852857/en.vtt", "inLanguage" : "en", "name" : "en Captions" }, "contentUrl" : "https://stream.mux.com/lgDR5CZvMb6sq7Wzm9AtEo5kVsNj301nAbg001mJBVpac/capped-1080p.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-08-08T21:56:25.142Z", "duration" : "PT41S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "Bloomin Onion ENHANCED", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://46942026.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/46942026/Bloomin%20Onion%20ENHANCED.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1754690185142", "uploadDate" : "2025-08-08T21:56:06.143Z", "width" : 1080 } ```