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I think we needed a new thread for this list, good idea.
My list is 17## so I won't be making the next class, hopefully I'll get the first next year!
Had a bit of a shoulder injury but feeling better and I'm back in the gym, just trying to stay in the gym and out of trouble. Hope you're all doing the same.
First post! Took the test, list # is 29XX, any guesses on how long until it get's called? I'm currently active duty Air Force, so I'm trying to figure how long I should extend before my number comes up. Thanks!
Glad you're feeling better. I think we all have to be careful. Don't want to get injured now. Lot's of excitement to get going but similar to the CPAT and eventually the job, slow, steady and no mistakes wins the race. Don't want to pull a muscle and set yourself back. There's plenty of time, if you are in decent shape, to get ready for our next step, THE CPAT.Quote:
Originally Posted by jemixxnyc
I have been training with a back pack with 75 lbs in it. I put in three 25 lbs plates and walk the Stair Master for 5-10 min at least once a week. I dont think you need to go out and buy a weight vest you can just make one using a back pack. I would not run with the vest it is very bad for your knees and does really nothing for you that just running wont do. Get on a stair master and walk. You need to get on a stair machine not walk stairs because it is a different motion and you dont want to be supprised by the machine the day of. If you have to go to a gym you know has one a couple times a month and walk on it at 60 spm to get the motion down. Pay the 20 bucks it will be worth it.
Good luck to all!
I bought the blue 40 lb vest at Modell's and I use a hiking pack and load it up with the remaining 35 lbs. Make sure to get a hiker's pack though, the ones with the waist and chest straps. It helps because it takes a lot of pressure off of your shoulders and lower back.
So what's the deal, I know it's a long way off but do you have to run 1 1/2 miles in 12 minutes or less or is it 13 minutes the first day?
How cool would it be to run over the Triborough Bridge in class at the FDNY. Four miles no problem, we will all be pumped. If any of you upstate/out of state candidates have never run over one of the bridges to Manhattan, do it when you are here for the prep course, it's awesome. I've run the Brooklyn Bridge many times. Looking at the scenery, you forget that you are running.Quote:
Originally Posted by FatherPierce
that was my concern that having all or the majority of the weight on your back will screw up your back..anyone with any experience with this?Quote:
Originally Posted by hopefully09
Ive heard of people making their own vests but never seen one before
Be careful with just loading up a backpack with weight plates. The purpose-built vests do a better job of symmetrical axial loading, so theyre a bit safer to use.
The issue has been addressed a couple of times by a Dr. in the 'Training' forum on this board.
FWIW, 5 years of wearing 35+ pounds of body armor while running around a warzone has left my back, hips and knees pretty much toasted.Quote:
Originally Posted by matty21
btw... my number is 2900-something, any ideas how long a wait that's looking at?
I use a backpack with 75 lbs its a little tough on the back but its not too bad. I have also used 50 lbs in the backpack and then held a 25 lbs weight in my arms that works well to distribute the lbs better. It is also good because you can do 5-10 min with 75 lbs and then drop 25 lbs easy and do more with the 50 lbs. I use this like the CPAT I do the 3 min 20 sec with 75 then put the 25 plate down and then finish with 10-15 min with the 50 lbs.
Works great.
Skyline's right about the commercially made vests. Mine is very comfortable and I can strap the additional 25lbs on when I want. The vest has pockets for the weights in front and back, high and low. With velcro straps, it's easy to tighten or loosen. A friend reloads shotgun shells and gave me two 12 1/2lb. bags of lead shot. I took them to a canvas shop and had two pieces of velcro sewn on the bags and two on the shoulder straps of the vest. Cost me $5.00. I figure when I'm done with the vest, I will sell it on eBay.
I'm thinkin I might be in this one, too. I'm in the high 600s and think it's going to be too far out for making the first academy, so I'm guessing it'll be Jan for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by hopefully09
Agreed. I'm definitely worried about getting hurt stupidly now that it's on the horizon. I'm selling my motorcycle and, one of the big reasons besides $$$, is that I'm worried about an accident or ticket that could jeopardize my chances at the job.Quote:
Originally Posted by Douseit
I'd also chime in to take it easy with the backpack. All that weight being behind you is not that great for your shoulders or back, plus it might throw you off when you do get to the CPAT when the weight is distributed differently. You'll need stabilizer muscles to keep you from teetering on the step mill that you might not train as much of if you're keeping all that weight too far back.
Plus, you're definitely increasing injury potential, especially pulling a muscle, if you lose your balance with all that weight back there. Just my .02.
Definitely cool to run the Triborough. I walked it back from a concert on Randall's over the summer and can definitely second the views being pretty cool. We were on the north side, so the view was of the Hellgate and the Bronx, not Midtown. I don't actually know if there is a pedestrian path on the south side or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Douseit
Unfortunately no device simulates wearing full turnouts with boots, helmets and scba well. I train with the 50 pound weight vest from weightvest.com and find it to be a great piece of equipment that i use not only for stair training but for everyday workouts.
The unfortunate thing about any weightvest is that they unfairly put all the weight on the upper trunk and in truth weight is much more dispersed However, I would still definitely recommend purchasing a vest over using a backback.
Training on the stepmill is a good idea for the actual medical/cpat, but its not very functional. You'll see that its very different from actual stair climbing.
And as usual, I'll plug CrossFit, www.crossfit.com, the grassroots movement and free resource with the best functional training for Military, LEO, Fire and any type of superior athlete.
Best to everyone in 08.
I like the stairmill/stairstepper I'm using at my gym. As you said, it's a good idea for the actual medical/cpat. For me, that's where my sight is focused for the next three months. I consider myself to be in good shape and plan to stay that way if I'm hired. I'm not sure if training with a vest will be a part of my regular workout. I feel it's hard on your body having all that weight pushing down on your lower spine. I tried the vest on stairs, going up was okay and gave me a good workout. Going down was tougher on the knees.Quote:
Originally Posted by jremNY
Yessir. I was there for the Sunday show when it turned into a mud pit from all the rain and everything was trashed. I was actually pretty disappointed with the show. I pretty much just came to see Rage and was shocked at the lack of interested in them when they played.Quote:
Originally Posted by hopefully09
Then again, it was a pretty eclectic mix of artists, so I guess it's a bit much to think that everyone would like every performer.
Did you go to that show?
Anybody with a list # over 1000 gotten the information about the CPAT prep in the mail yet?
13xx.
It's nice to see a seperate section for the new list. A little easier to skim for info on 6019 without 2043 posts mixed in!
My understanding is that the first 1000 numbers were mailed the info on the CPAT class. I've also been told that the first 800-1000 numbers will go through the process for July. I guess that depends on the number of people that are promoted from the EMS promotional list. I'm told that in the past that 1 out of every 2 people were hired. For this list, I've been told to expect 1 out of every 3 candidates to get the call. I guess this will be for a variety of reasons ranging from people that just don't show up to failing the CPAT to people that fail background for whatever reason. So if you have a number 800 or better, then be prepared. You really never know what will happen with this list. I'm at 1500, so it's just a waiting game for me at this point.
As for the CPAT, if you're regularly active, I wouldn't stress to much about the CPAT. I've taken it twice and passed without ever having practiced or really trained for it. If you're working out and preparing, you should be set, especially if you're heading to the CPAT prep, something I'll take advantage of when I have the chance. I wouldn't worrying about the pace either. From what I can tell, if you're in shape and coordinated, you'll be fine. The key is to stay calm. In my small and humble opinion, prepare for the academy, because that's the place you really want to show that you're ready and that you want the job.
I thought I'd share a little bit of my training because I think it's probably a lot different than most people have seen... Each day I do about 200 push ups and sit ups when I get up and before I go to bed. I also stretch at least once per day. I like to run on an incline, whether in be a grassy/sandy hill or a treadmill with a incline with 50 pound on my shoulders. If I'm using a hill, I sometimes I carry 25lbs in each hand.
I run for 45 minutes at a continuous pace about 4 days a week. Other days I run 15 minutes as hard as I can. I also do about 10 sprints and I jump rope after. No joke. It's a great for the heart and legs. I do a some lifting, usually exercises like squats, cleans, and deadlifts. I use a lower weight and do a high number of reps. This helps to build strength that is both explosive and enduring, if that makes any sense. Pull Ups and wall pushups are great too.
I also do the following, which is the abnormal part. I use a 20lb sledge and I hit a pile of tires lashed together. I can put these same tires over a post and hit them as it I were hitting a halligan. I have a plastic sled with a piece of hose attached to it and I pull it across my yard, with 100lbs to 150lbs on the sled. I use several different motions. I have an old steel halligan hook with a sling I fashioned that can hold about 45 pounds. I push it up and down in the air to simulate pulling ceilings and the such. I also use and 45 pound weight an slide it across the wall above or below my head and waist like I would be using a saw.
Just a little different. I'm not trying to say that this is better or what anyone else is doing isn't worthwhile. I just thought I might share my ideas in the case that they might help out.
Well sh-t guys. Took me a couple days to find this thread. I had wondered why everything seemed to die off in the 2006 thread. Good idea in starting a new one. Sadly the gym where I train doesn't have a step mill like the one I used to go to. It does have a stair climber but I don't like it as much. I'm signed up for the 26th as well. The more time that passes the more relaxed I get, which is nice because I was real nervous for some time. I'm still wondering which class I'll prob get into. I'd really like to make the june one, though with the 200ish ems guys I think I'm gonna have to wait till next jan.
Dont count yourself out. I already know a handful of ems guys either not bothering to continue with the process, or have prior obligations causing them to intend to defer; assuming theyd pass everything from here on out (a BIG assumption.)
Just stay ready.
Investigation packets are out. Now to buckle down and make it through this pile of information. . .