Newbie with question regarding weight

RebelAngel

RebelAngel

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Hello all,

I start my EMT-B course on the 22nd.

Looking over the NYS job description for EMT-B it says I must be able to lift and carry 125lbs. I am a petite female (5'2'' and 111lbs). I talked with a Paramedic friend of mine and understand the reasoning behind. I'm not a frail little thing but I'm definitely not strong enough to lift or carry 125 dead weight. I'm wondering how I am going to be able to do this. My friend's suggestion was to "get my diesel on".

My squad has an auto stretcher, which I assume is going to be much easier on me but that won't help me carry equipment, if necessary, unless I can wheel it on the stretcher.
 
Carrying equipment isn't a big deal- equipment bags generally aren't very heavy.

Power-stretchers are nice. Unfortunately, they do add some extra bulky weight. The strykers are designed to be lifted with two people, which makes it much easier. Unfortunately, at 5'2" and depending on your partner's height, a large height disparity can make a team lift very difficult, if not impractical.

Moving patients onto and off of the stretcher will be where your strength comes most into play. Your patients will be large, difficult to access, and a pain in the butt to move. Gaining strength, proper lifting mechanics, and resource utilization will be very important for you. The job will still be doable for you, but it may take some more effort on your part than, say, someone who is 6' 185lbs and lifts weights regularly.
 
I'm a big guy so I can't directly relate to your problem....but as long as you are healthy and use good lifting mechanics I am pretty sure you'll be fine. It will be hard sometimes, but you'll be fine.

I would seriously consider starting a weight training program that stresses squats and deadlifts. You don't have to spend much time doing it, just 2-3 good workouts a week. And make sure you learn the right way to do them from someone who knows that they are talking about, not just the first "bro" who hits on you when you walk into the meathead gym.

This is not so much because you won't be able to do the job without the lifting program, but it will definitely help you avoid injury (which you are more prone to because of your size) and also make the job less physically stressful on you.
 
Thanks for your input!

Our first in bag weighs 50lbs my Paramedic friend said, and is about half my length-probably a little under. He also said that if I'm working with a Paramedic and they need all their gear on the scene that's about 125lbs, that why I mentioned about the gear.

I do cardio with resistance training and I dance. I guess I should start lifting also. I need to find a way to do that at home until I get a gym membership and the time to go.
 
I would hope your partner would be willing to carry some of the gear, too, and not just make you a mule...
 
Hey, it's part of my job description, haha.

Seriously though, my partner may not be any better off than me. We're volunteer and have some younger people but a lot of older folks also.

I don't want my size to inhibit my ability to do my job and I sure as hell don't want it to negatively impact a patient's care.
 
Kettlebells are a good alternative to barbell training at a gym. It's easily done at home. It would still be ideal to get some instruction, but not mandatory.....there are lots of videos on YouTube and other resources elsewhere on the web.
 
Can you recommend any good quality brands for the kettlebells and possibly DVDs? Would I need one or two kettlebells for each weight?
 
Since they are just a chunk of iron, just buy the cheapest ones you can find. There are some variations in design but I don't think they are important, especially when you are using light weights to start. Walmart has them. You might find them on CL, too. Just get one 10# one and maybe one 15# one to start. That's all you'll need at first. As you get stronger and more familiar with the movements you can buy a heavier one.

Dubmbells are a lot cheaper and can reasonably be substituted for most KB movements, but KB's really are easier to use.

I wouldn't buy DVD's, there are TONS of resources on the web. The basic KB movement is the swing, which fairly closely mimics a squat and works the muscle in your upper legs and lower back. Form is important but it's not hard to pick up, just watch the videos closely and pay attention to how your knees and lower back feel as you do it.
 
RebelAngel said:
Can you recommend any good quality brands for the kettlebells and possibly DVDs? Would I need one or two kettlebells for each weight?
Click to expand...

I have a local kettlebell place here, and they do weekly workouts that they upload to their website so you can do them at home. I know it's on the other side of the country, but the online workouts are pretty great and can be done rather easily in your free time.
http://www.cuttingedgekettlebells.com/
 
Thanks guys! I will buy some kettlebells to work out with at home for right now.
 
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