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Future FF EMT 14

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I have been training really hard for Firefighting I have my own gear , the only thing I'm missing is an air pack, can anyone tell me about how much an air pack weighs ? I have been going running/walking fully geared and my friend who works at a station told me that since I don't have an air pack to put weights in a backpack, not sure how heavy to make it ..
 
Start Small.

Most of the FFs I know that are still active load up a backpack with sand and increase the weight and incline on a treadmill as they get stronger. Why stop at the minimum?

Additionally nobody I have ever met in person wears turnout gear while working out.

Of course make sure to see your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough for intensive workouts before you start stacking on weights.
 
If I don't wear it when I workout then how am I ever gonna get used to being able to move around in it and being able to wear it . . and I used to train a lot harder then I am now .
 
You should do what you think is right, just putting out what I know.
 
Future FF EMT 14 said:
If I don't wear it when I workout then how am I ever gonna get used to being able to move around in it and being able to wear it . . and I used to train a lot harder then I am now .
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Are you trying to get a job as a paid firefighter or are you in a volunteer company? In my opinion, you should focus on simply working out rather than trying to run in gear or getting used to an airpack. These things come with experience, if you're in a volunteer company you will have times when you're training in both your bunkers and pack. If you're trying to be a paid firefighter, once you have found a place that will hire you, they will send you out for training at an academy. You'll get comfortable with your gear and airpack then :)

I do like the backpack + sand idea, but when you're ready to run into a burning building the weight of the airpack wont impact you at all. The strength will come with experience.
 
the plastic bags that bread (like wonder) comes in work really well for the sand.
 
DoubleOSpoon said:
Are you trying to get a job as a paid firefighter or are you in a volunteer company? In my opinion, you should focus on simply working out rather than trying to run in gear or getting used to an airpack. These things come with experience, if you're in a volunteer company you will have times when you're training in both your bunkers and pack. If you're trying to be a paid firefighter, once you have found a place that will hire you, they will send you out for training at an academy. You'll get comfortable with your gear and airpack then :)

I do like the backpack + sand idea, but when you're ready to run into a burning building the weight of the airpack wont impact you at all. The strength will come with experience.
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I'm not in either one , paid or volunteer . I'm training to get into the academy , and I already workout, and do all the other stuff .
 
Airpacks don't weigh all that much. If you want to simulate the weight, then find out what brand of pack you expect to be using (based on local FD most likely) and then look up the weight on the manufacturer's website.

The biggest thing about moving with an airpack on (in my opinion at least) is that they are rigid and bulky and can hang up or get caught on other objects easily. You need to consider how much larger your body is with an airpack, especially in confined spaces. A backpack with sand in it would be soft and pliable and a much different shape than a real airpack.

You can also join the forums at firehouse.com. There should be more people who can make suggestions than here.
 
Focus on just getting in shape and maintaining.... working out wearing PPE and an SCBA is useless, and could possibly cause unneeded injuries.
 
Future FF EMT 14 said:
If I don't wear it when I workout then how am I ever gonna get used to being able to move around in it and being able to wear it . . and I used to train a lot harder then I am now .
Click to expand...

I went through a professional fire academy that finished a little over a year ago. I had no previous fire experience going in, nor had I ever used PPE or worked while on air. Many others in my recruit school hadn't, either.

We did work performance circuits, starting with PT clothes. You know, run the stairs with a 2 1/2" hose bundle, hitting the keiser sled, ceiling breach dummy drag equipment carry, stretch a charged 2 1/2 out, crawl back, and pull the hose and nozzle back to you, and also forcible entry and ceiling breach and pull. The next week, we did it in bunker pants, then with the coat as well.

Then, we had our SCBA week, in which you go on air, for the first time, and do "chop till you drop". You chop away at a log with a dull axe until you run out of air. The second station also on air, is carrying equipment up and down stairs, also on air, until you breathe down your cylinder. The next week you do the entire work performance circuit on air, for two circuits (with a five minute rest in between).

We all did fine. I received an excellent rating for PT upon graduation. I do olympic weightlifting and powerlifting regularly. I do metcon such as sprints hill sprints, BB/DB/KB complexes, and some crossfit type metcon such as the 100 burpee challenge, Fran, Linda (a real puker) Cindy, and such. I own a pair of 28 kg kettlebells. After tossing one or two of those around for 3-5 minute circuits, my gear feels real light.

Firefighting conditioning and job specific training is about having grappling type conditioning, and being able to manipulate external objects in odd positions. Use this site:

http://www.firegroundfitness.com/

Don't show up ath the gym or PT outside your home in gear. You'll look like a tool. You should also focus on conditioning where you're not restricting your ability to release your body heat. You'll be able to increase your conditioning that much more, rather than be limited by dehydration.
 
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