A comparison of historical versus proposed physical employment standards for flight paramedics performing helicopter winch rescue

Author:

Meadley Benjamin N.12,Caldwell-Odgers Joanne3

Affiliation:

1. Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

2. Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia

3. Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Paramedics working in helicopter teams undertake water and land rescues. Historical assessments of role-related fitness were not developed using physical employment standards methodology. OBJECTIVE: To compare the historical selection tests with new tests developed via contemporary scientific methodology. METHODS: Candidates undergoing selection to the role of flight paramedic (n = 14; age 37±5 yrs, body mass index [BMI] 26±4 kg.m2) undertook existing paramedic selection tests on land and in water, measurements of task duration, maximum heart rate (HRmax), rate of perceived exertion (RPE6 - 20) and capillary blood lactate (Lacmax) were recorded. These results were compared to the same variables in experienced paramedics (n = 14; age 44±5 yrs, BMI 25±3 kg.m2) who undertook the new tests. RESULTS: Land task duration (existing 17±2 min vs. proposed 7±2 min, p <  0.05) HRmax (existing 186±13 b.min–1 vs. proposed 173±11 b.min–1, p <  0.05), and Lacmax (existing 23±3 mmol.L–1 vs. proposed 8±2 mmol.L–1, p <  0.05) were higher in the existing test compared to the proposed tests. Water task duration (existing 12±2 min vs. proposed 10±1 min, p <  0.05) was longer in the existing test, but HRmax (existing 166±18 b.min–1 vs. proposed 167±15 b.min–1, p = 0.90), Lacmax (existing 11±4 mmol.L–1 vs. proposed 11±4 mmol.L–1, p = 0.90) did not differ. RPE6 - 20 did not differ between groups for water or land. CONCLUSIONS: The historical land-based physical tests for paramedics differed from the proposed tests, however the water-based tests had similar duration and physiological demands. Use of tests not developed via established scientific methodologies risks eliminating candidates suitable to work in the role, or including candidates that are not.

Publisher

IOS Press

Reference43 articles.

1. A paramedic-staffed helicopter emergency medical service’s response to winch missions in Victoria, Australia;Meadley;Prehospital Emergency Care,2016

2. Comparison of swimming versus running maximal aerobic capacity in helicopter rescue paramedics;Meadley;Ergonomics,2021

3. Petersen SR , Docherty D , Stickland M , Laframboise MJ . Development of Bona Fide Physical Fitness Standards for Canadian Forces (CF) Search and Rescue Technician (SAR-Tech) Applicants. Final Report Submitted to the Department of National Defence. 2011.

4. Physiological employment standards I. Occupational fitness standards: objectively subjective?;Tipton;European Journal of Applied Physiology,2013

5. A new pre-employment functional capacity evaluation predicts longer-term risk of musculoskeletal injury in healthy workers: a prospective cohort study;Legge;Spine,2013

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3