When it comes to working as a first responder, EMT, Paramedic, firefighter, or something else, how do you feel about your personal level of fitness? Do you feel like you are physically and mentally ready for whatever the job throws at you, or do you think there is room for improvement? I think for most of us, we can honestly say that there is always room for improvement. If I can become a little lighter, a little stronger, more flexible, I can more safely, comfortably, and adequately do my job.
Why is it so important that we maintain an adequate level of fitness, and should we, as first responders, be held to a higher standard than the general public? What does my level of fitness have to do with my ability to do my job? There is no judgement here, but just take a minute and think honestly about yourself, can you physically get up and down and in and out of that ambulance? Can you lift your patients without the risk of hurting or injuring yourself? Can you carry my equipment (medical bag, oxygen, cardiac monitor, trauma supplied, backboard, stair chair, etc.) in a way that’s not going to put additional stress or strain on your back or knees? Can you physically protect yourself if a patient or a bystander tries to hurt you? Just medically taking care of our patients is not enough, there is so much more to our jobs. Can you physically do it?
I know that EMS and law-enforcement are not the same profession, however, a couple weeks ago I saw a photo on social media of a law-enforcement agency. The photo looked professionally done, every officer had a smile on their face, it was a nice photo, but the only thing people seemed to notice was that every officer in that photo appeared to be significantly overweight. While I was reading through the comments that people had shared on this photo, the overall response was that the general public was making fun of this law-enforcement agency. They were saying how unhealthy and unsafe it was that all these officers were overweight. If your department posted a similar photo of you and your co-workers, do you think the public would feel the same way about us as EMTs and paramedics? If our department posts a photo of us, is that photo going to inspire confidence from the public or are we going to be seen as a joke? Is that photo going to show that we are ready for duty, we’re here to help, or are we going to be seen as more of a liability.
Knowing that the average weight in America has been gradually increasing for decades, it is no secret, and we, as medical professionals, are not immune to the risks of obesity. Our weight is not the only risk we are facing. With long hours of inactivity, sitting at the station or driving around in an ambulance, a lack of access to fresh or healthy food, inadequate sleeping patterns, too much caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco consumption, we are continually increasing our risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, and stress, as well as injuries and depression. In 2012 there was a study regarding our health and our health risks. In 2012 it was learned that only 22% of EMTs and paramedics were at a healthy weight, meaning that 78% of us were overweight. (Smith, 2012). This study is over 10 years old, and unfortunately our numbers have not improved.
But is there something that we can do about it? I believe education and rewards are our greatest motivations. Again, if your company posted a photo of you, and the comments were filled with negative remarks about your appearance, would that inspire you to make a change in your daily habits? I don’t think that anyone should be bullied, especially for your appearance, but the public does in fact, hold us to a higher standard. Not just because of how we look, but it will either inspire faith or failure in your ability to help people.
Many companies and departments around the country are implementing physical standards for first responders. Generally, to join a fire department you have a to pass the CPAT test, Candidate Physical Ability Test. This test has eight separate things that show you have physical strength, agility and balance, and enough stamina to do your job. Many EMS companies are not conducting the PET, Paramedic Evaluation Test. Similar to the CPAT, the PET “involves a three-cycle obstacle course, identifying four typical physical labour tasks that paramedics must perform on a daily basis, including strength, agility, anaerobic capacity, and flexibility.” (Dubuc, 2019). With the PET, paramedic candidates have to prove their ability to run, showing cardiac endurance, carry a patient in a stair chair, up and down stairs, and lift and carry a patient on a scoop stretcher. This test shows your ability to “(a) get to the patient, (b) physically attend to the patient, and (c) remove the patient.” (Dubuc, 2019). This is not unreasonable to ask of people are in fact, responsibly for getting to a patient, treating them, and potentially carrying or extricating them.
Do you feel like your company or department should give you resources to be able to improve your physical fitness? Such as access to treadmills, weights, or other cardio equipment? Or should they give you some type of incentive or financial help to join your local gym? Should they give you benefits or some type of some type of reduction when it comes to your health insurance? Many companies are doing just that. Your station might not always have a full access gym inside, but they are doing what they can to provide you with basic equipment, so that you can do your best to improve your physical self. If you don’t have access to a gym or workout equipment, that’s ok too.
“Paramedics do not necessarily need to build large muscles like a bodybuilder. Still, small exercises such as push-ups, planks, and jumping jacks can aid in developing the physical strength required for the profession.” (TrueMedic, 2023). You do not need to spend hours at the gym, seven days a week. Even if you work out on a regular basis or you are brand new and thinking about starting, sometimes it can be daunting trying to figure out what exercises can help you with your job. So, make it simple. Think about the physical demands of being an EMT or paramedic: we walk up and down stairs, we carry our equipment, usually weighing up to 50ish pounds, we squat down to pick up patients, we lift and carry backboards, and we lift our gurney into the ambulance. Start with that stuff. Spend a couple minutes going up and down stairs, increasing your time as you can. Often times you are carrying your equipment when on the stairs, so add some extra weight when you are able to. Use some free weights to strengthen your grip and arm strength. Practice squatting with and without adding additional weight. Stretching is also very important to increase flexibility to reduce the risk of injuries.
There will always be room for improvement, and you don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes just doing something is enough to get you going in the right direction. Instead of sitting at the station looking at your phone or watching TV, go outside and walk laps around the station. Do some basic stretches to loosen up your back, hips, arms, and legs. Grab a bottle of water, instead of another Red Bull. Invest some time and effort in yourself, in your health, and good things will follow.
References:
Dubuc, Martin. (2019). PARA Fitness Test Descriptions, Introduction to Fitness for Paramedics. Open Library. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/paramedicfitness/chapter/fitness-tests-and-standards/#:~:text=Paramedic%20Evaluation%20Test%20(PET%20Test),-The%20following%20PET&text=The%20test%20involves%20a%20three,%2C%20anaerobic%20capacity%2C%20and%20flexibility.
Smith, Elizabeth. (3-26-2012). Study Finds that Many EMS Providers are Overweight or Obese. Jems. https://www.jems.com/operations/study-finds-many-ems-providers-are-overw/#:~:text=Excessive%20work%20hours%2C%20such%20as,40%2Dhour%20work%20week%2C%20and
TrueMedic. (August 11, 2023). Preparing For The Physical Demands Of Working As A Paramedic. TrueMedic LTD, Training Centre. https://truemedic.co.uk/preparing-for-the-physical-demands-of-working-as-a-paramedic/#:~:text=Working%20as%20a%20paramedic%20requires,their%20equipment%20or%20wheeling%20stretchers.
