[clbg]

Help!! I am applying for a firefighter recruit position and the department had a practice for the physical agility test. I was unable to do the test in the required time. I was able to complete all 5 tasks however I ran out of time ( The tester did not tell me how much over time I was, only that I went over time sometime on the 4th event). The firefighters conducting the training were great and told me that the "slammer" machine was where I lost alot of time, I also think I lost a lot of time on the hose hoist but that event took place indoors so no one outside could see how I did on that. They did give me a lot of pointers and I redid those 2 tasks and they said that I did much better but I am still really worried about taking the test in 2 weeks. My biggest problem as i see it is that the rope on the hose hoist task kept slipping out of my hand as did the hammer on the "slammer". Does anyone have any ideas. I am also worried that I will end up "psyching myself out" after having failed on the practice. On the plus side I did complete the course, however that is not good enough to get to the next step of the hireing process. I consider myself pretty physically fit, exercise about 8+ hours/week plus I started seriously lifting weights about a month ago. Thank you.

[firething]

keep lifting weights, but give your body time to recover before the next test. Is the "slammer" the rail that you swing up and down at, or the button that you swing back and forth at? I needed help with the second kind (due to swinging like a girl ) and found it helpful to have someone who with a sledge hammer critique my swing. I swung at a stack of tires with a dot spray painted at the height of the buzzer. The tires were backed against a utility pole. I also used a dead tree in my backyard, but that made my hands hurt after a while. I could hear when I was hitting better as the sound the tires made got louder and deeper. The key points were to not choke up too much and to use my core to swing more than my arms. The swing has to start with your trunk. As for the rope, did you try turning the rope as you lowered it? Grab it, then turn your fist so it's parallel to the ground, then pull the rope. Helps keep the rope from slipping through your fist.
Just some tips I learned.

[clbg]

Thank you, The slammer has a metal plate that is on the ground and there is a 170 lb metal weight on that metal plate. there are two raised foot rails on either side that you stand on and hit the metal plate until it goes to the end of the metal plate that is is sitting on (about 4 or 5 feet). I think I was holding the sledge hammer at the end and raising it over my head thinking I would use gravity. Couple problems with that was that 1) I lost control of where the hammer hit the plate and 2) the hammer would turn sideways on its way down.. I didnt turn the rope because I didnt think of it but that is a a good idea because it would keep it from slipping. You are so right about making your hands hurt. after the practice I could barely write because my hands were so sore. Thanks again for the ideas. I did notice that there were 4 other females out there beside myself and it was the same 2 tasks that we had problems with. I thought I would stop lifiting weights about 5 days before the test and taking my workouts down to half of what I usually do. The actual test will be on sat 29 july so figure this week will do pretty much my normal workout and next week a bit lighter. thanks, clbg

[clbg]

Passed the agility test yesterday!!! Did much better on the rope hoist and slammer. I cant believe that I may have a chance of becoming a professional firefighter! Next step is the work keys assessment that they say you cant really study for, and then the interview. Thanks for having this great supportive site/