Introduction to Fitness for Paramedics

PARA Fitness Test Standards

Martin Dubuc

Fitness Test Weight

The weight of each test (i.e., how much each test counts towards your final grade) will vary based on your current semester/course code in the Paramedic program. The table below indicates the weight of each test for each Paramedic Fitness course. Note – for Semester 3 PAR 1301, all three Fitness Tests must be successfully completed to pass the course, regardless of the attributed weight.

Test / Semester Semester 1 – FIT 1101 Semester 2 – FIT 1201 Semester 3 – PAR 1301
PET Test 10 % 10% 10.5%
Shuttle Run 10% 10% 10.5%
Stair Chair / Strecher Carry 40% 40% 31%

Fitness Test Performance Goals

The Paramedic Fitness courses are designed to build upon one another, beginning with the lowest performance goals in Semester 1 and the highest performance goals (equivalent to the City of Greater Sudbury’s Emergency Services fitness standards) in Semester 3. This allows students to gradually develop their fitness throughout their time in the program so they may succeed during preceptorship and upon graduation. With this in mind, the Time and Stage standards (and attributable grades) become harder for the PET Test and Shuttle Run, respectively, while the weight of the manekin increases significantly for the Stairchair and Stretcher Carry. You will find a detailed breakdown of the Performance Goals for the PET and Shuttle Run in the table below:

Stairchair and Stretcher Carry manekin weight increments

The mannequin’s weight will increase per semester/fitness course as follows

  • Semester 1 – FIT 1101: 70kg (154 lbs)
  • Semester 2 – FIT 1201: 80kg (176 lbs)
  • Semester 3 – PAR 1301: 90kg (209 lbs)

 

Beyond the need to avoid Unsafe Critical Errors, which would lead to test termination during the Stairchair and Stretcher Carry, performance will be assessed using the marking rubric below. As has been previously mentioned and made evident by the rubric, marks are emphasized for proper technique and patient safety.

 

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Fitness for Paramedics: A Guide for Students at Cambrian College Copyright © 2019 by Martin Dubuc is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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