Spirometry test: Volunteer Firefighter requirement?!
Question: I'm getting my physical tomorrow as a process of becoming a volunteer fire fighter. My friend who's in the department says there's a certain requirement for the results of the Lung/spirometry test. Has anyone been through or know what the requirement to pass is?
I don't have asthma or anything, and from other regular physicals from my physician, nothing's been wrong..Would this give me a good chance of passing everything?
Answers: I'm getting my physical tomorrow as a process of becoming a volunteer fire fighter. My friend who's in the department says there's a certain requirement for the results of the Lung/spirometry test. Has anyone been through or know what the requirement to pass is?
I don't have asthma or anything, and from other regular physicals from my physician, nothing's been wrong..Would this give me a good chance of passing everything?
Had several lung function and spirometer tests done. Basically, they measure lung capacity and lung funtion. If you don't have asthma (unless it's treated) or COPD or any other lung diseases/disorders you should be fine.
If you are physically fit (and I assume you are or you would not be going after being a voluunteer firefighter), you should pass with flying colors. I don't know which test they will give you but it will be some sort of pulmonary function test which tests your lung capacity. This is so that when you have all of that equipment on and the extra weight, it does not put you into an asthma attack or stress your body so much that you can't breathe. They just have to make sure you have healthy lungs with a good capacity before you start your training.
The spirometer essentially measures your breathing/lung capacity. If you don't have any type of restrictive lung disease (i.e., asthma, emphysema), you should pass the test without problem.
In addition to what my fellow yahoo's have all ready told you. Stay away from the taverns tonite and don't go cleaning any closets so that you won't be exposed to any dust bunnies. In fact, stay away from anything that would cause any allergic reaction in a normal healthy person. Such as dust, smoke, pollen, etc. These items cause irritation of the lungs and trigger swelling of the airways. If you avoid them and your lungs are normal you should have no problem passing the test tomorrow. Don't forget to get a good night sleep. Don't cheat in the morning. They are going to ask if you have any caffeine, it's best to be able to answer truthfully as they will probably doing blood tests at the same time and if they do they will be testing for caffeine in your blood system. Caffeine artificially dilates the airways of your lungs and can give you a false 'good' reading, however if your blood test find it in your system your Pulmonary tests become suspect and one of two things may happen. One they could retest. Or they could fire you for trying to 'cheat' the test. So be very care-full not to drink any coffee, tea, colas, or eat anything with chocolate. I'm sure that you will be just fine. I'm sure that if you are a normally health individual with an active life style you will be just fine. Good luck on your test. Happy New Year.
Sounds like no problem for you.