Chapter 1 – Introduction to Fitness for Paramedics
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Fitness for Paramedics
PARA Fitness Test Descriptions
1. Paramedic Evaluation Test (PET)
The following PET description has been copied directly from the City of Greater Sudbury’s Paramedic Services and modified to reflect Cambrian College’s testing environment.
The PET circuit is a series of job performance physical ability tests that simulate the most common daily physical demands of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) work. The test 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.
The physical aspects of EMS work can be described by these four physical activities and are considered crucial, essential and critical. The PET circuit must be successfully completed within a standardized pre-determined time.
In each cycle of the obstacle course, at least two of the above physical labour tasks are challenged. Aspects of the test duplicate a scenario where a paramedic must (a) get to the patient, (b) physically attend to the patient, and (c) remove the patient. As the level of performance demanded varies per situation, the test is practical and deemed to be both realistic and reasonable.
Stations
- Obstacle Course – Mobility Run: The PET circuit consists of an approximately 300m (984 ft) obstacle run where the student must demonstrate gross motor abilities such as mobility, agility, flexibility, power, and general aerobic endurance.
- Strength Station: The strength station consists of a pull unit where the student must suspend a 50lb (23kg) weight off the ground and travel through four 180-degree arcs, keeping the weight elevated during the entire exercise.
- Body Drag: The body drag session of the PET circuit requires the student to drag an approximate 90lb mannequin over a distance of 30m (100ft). A hose/sled weighted to 90lb may be used to stimulate the dummy. In Cambrian’s Paramedic program, a 90lb sled is used.
Description of the PET
The PET consists of three cycles/laps at a controlled time pace. The first cycle consists of an approximately 100m obstacle run where the student must demonstrate gross motor abilities such as agility, flexibility, and general endurance. Further details on grade attribution (e.g., the weight of this test or what time needs to be achieved to obtain passing grades) can be found in the next section of the textbook. The PET is laid out in the following manner (see images after cycle descriptions).
Lap 1 and Lap 3:
- Starting from the start marker pylon, the student runs straight ahead to the first obstacle – the balance beam. The balance beam must be crossed lengthwise. If a foot touches the floor, the student must go back to the beginning of the beam.
- From the balance beam, the student runs forward to the second marker and proceeds up and down the staircase twice.
- From the stairs, the student runs forward to the end of the gym around the last p