3 Methods to Help You Pass Your WLFF Pack Test
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
- Today we talk about three methods you can use to help you pass your Annual Wildland Firefighting Pack Test. You will need to pass this test every year in order to get your red card- you can't fight fire without it!
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Prep for Your First Pack Test: • Wildland Firefighting ...
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I’m a 5’4” 105 pound female and passed in under 42 minutes. I also was the only person doing it that morning so I had no one to pace off, just my boss calling out my lap times 😅
The best advice I got is, do not just “train for the pack test!” It was the easiest physical thing I did all season. Very rarely will you be walking on flat ground! I did lots of weighted hikes in mountainous areas to get into shape and it definitely helped.
Just know as a short person, your stride will have to be super weird in order to go fast enough but not break into a run.
You got this!
Was gonna say short legged people would be hard but you changed my mind good job 👏
I'm 5'5 and have been so stressed about stride and pace. I haven't taken the pack test yet, but have been getting ready for it. I can't do a 45 minute 3 miles without sorta jogging but I don't know if that's allowed 😭 SO STRESSED
Thank you for sharing your experience with this. I'm 5'3 and it was really good for me to hear that someone like me passed it under time! You're awesome!
Today was pack test day, 39:12, and I turn 48 in 10 days. I have 18 more years before I can retire, so working out regularly is my key to longevity in this line of work.
Something I learned (for myself) that helps is getting there early, if you're able, and walking a while to get your muscles warmed up. I always perform my best pace after 1.5-2 miles of walking. I've got one bad leg (broke my foot in '22, so that leg takes a bit to get ready to work).
Good brief Ronni! It's all about legit preparation, a steady pace and precise timing. No worries for nearly anyone in decent shape- unless they over think it and over stress about it.
Forgive me... In my day (the previous century mind you) it was all about the Step Test which always seemed shallow and nearly meaningless to me.
So, about 3 times a season- less if a high op-tempo season, me and my joes and janes would do the 3-mile/45# pack test, surprise announced by me on some random morning, in place of our regular PT routine. The thing is we would do this Pack Test on a single lane, gently climbing, paved road above my Station which sat at 5,000 ft MSL. NONE of my firefighters ever faltered, none ever failed. Neither did the old man (me).
Granted we did some fairly rad PT on a daily basis- except when on fire assignment of course.
Used a playlist during practicing and day of the test. If you're a math person, like I am, figure out your stride length and how many steps you need to do in a minute and find a bunch of beat per minute songs that keep your foot hitting the ground with the beat. Mine was 146 bpm, so 145 steps per minute.
The pacing also helped as I had one group that blew out of the gate, 2 or 3 people around me that I was pacing off of and the trailing group who I knew had done it before that I knew I had to finish in front of. finished just around 42 minutes. You need to cover 352 ft per minute to hit 45 minutes on the nose. I was timing myself for 362.5 ft per minute which would have put me just under a 44 minute finish.
Yes! I did a mini CPAT I made myself and I plan on doing it again. I played a 45~ video and took a 3 mile route i planned in my neighborhood to guage my progress.
Nice!!
Just trained for my pack test today (while recovering from a knee injury which sucks). 2022 is going to be my first real fire season, I wanted to know if it's common for some folks to not make into the 45 min mark. That must be very unfortunate. Thank you for all the helpful info, Ronni!
I'm sorry to hear about your knee! I pray for a speedy recovery! Unfortunately, I did know a few people who didn't pass. They did get another shot at it, but even then some people still didn't pass.
So glad to have found your channel! I'm currently training for my first pack test and your videos have been super helpful
Good, I'm so glad!!
I’m leaving today for all my classes including my Pack test on Friday. I only managed to do one little trial on my own with a 38 lbs ruck going partially uphill at a casual pace and made it in 50min. I am gonna pass this test otherwise I’m gonna feel silly. I hope they give us vests instead of bags because that’ll feel easier. But as a short person- for my first casual test in Hawaii heat, I’d say not too bad. I’ll come back with update in about a week. Manifesting passing this bytch.
how'd it go?
Thank you for this! #packtest #wildland
I used to use the music one! I still have my playlist
This will be my first fire season and I’m a little nervous but more excited! I’m training before my pack test which will be in April. 💪🏽👨🏽🚒
Awesome! Training before hand is smart... in my opinion. Good luck!! If you need help with a program... I have one for you 😉
@@wildlandfirefit I would love to have a work out program! :) tell me
You can learn about the workout program here wildlandfire.mykajabi.com/packtest
but I also have bundles if you are interested, it saves you a little money. You can check them out here wildlandfire.mykajabi.com/store
Hope it helps!
@@wildlandfirefit ok thank! Also what kind of socks recommend for fire season? Lol
I did a pack test 7/2/23 was doing great then decided to help another guy who dropped something and made me fail by 6 seconds. Got to wait 2 weeks to try it again. Next time I’ll just keep pushing and not stop to help. I guess being a hero isn’t always a good thing lol.
I’m sorry 😣 for you I feel for you… where did you train was it hard I do mine july21-23
@@brittneymoore1045 was in Eugene Oregon we just walked a loop in the town was 1.5 miles there 1.5 back. Was 80 out though so that added to the fun. Out of the 20ish people only 2 didn’t make it.
I'm fortunate to have a track across the street from my neighborhood. I went and practiced the pack test I put 50 pounds on my back and was able to get a time of 31.52. I'm 6'4 with long strides lol.
Niiiice!!!! That's a great time!! And lucky... I wish I had a long stride!
@@wildlandfirefit the thing that works for me is start out at a good pace for the first couple of laps, then speep up. I think some people start out fast then on there last couple of laps they get tired and slow down. Just a little tip for everyone. Don't think about it to much.
Im fire support and want to be able to walk with the best.🇺🇸
The test has to be walked. I took it today.
I use a metronome. I know that I will pass if my full stride pace is 133 beats per minute.
Yeah so I did moderate this year… I’m taking a season off ✌️
Nice! Where did you fight fire out of? I hope you enjoy your time off, do you think you'll go back for another season after your break?
Hey, ive been prep for my pack test that next tues. I have been doing like a run walk combo at my local track. I make sure that one foot is always on the ground. My time is around 40 mins for all 3 miles. Is the run walk combo okay? This is my first time doing a pack test.
Nice! You don't get points for finishing early so what you are doing now is GREAT! Just as long as one foot is always on the ground you are fine.
I’m 6’ 320. I passed with 30 seconds to spare. Sheeesh. There was like 2 parts with incline to. 😩 time to start year 9 with the FD
Tie your shoes tight, mine weren't tight enough and I got some nasty blisters, I passed, but at a cost🤣🤣
Glad to hear you passed, sorry about the blisters!!
Been interested in wlf for a while and want to try it out, would prefer if the crew was indigenous but idk where one would find that info. Is it too late to try and get hired on a crew? And im not in pack test shape either lol.
I know there are a lot of indigenous crews, I found this website by doing a quick Google search www.bia.gov/bia/ots/dfwfm/bwfm/responding-wildfires/hotshot
It may be too late to apply but you can still try, just in case.
If you are looking to start getting into shape, one just released a 4 week workout program to get you prepped for a pack test/ fire season. You can check it out here 👉 wildland-fire.myshopify.com/
What if they want you to pack test frist
So you are allowed to listen to music, or does it depends on the company you’re doing it through?
You should be able to. We always were allowed to, but you may want to check before the test to make sure they are cool with it.
I have been prepping for over a month and have seen no change in how difficult this is. I don't understand how you can say that people can do it without training
It is a very demanding job for sure! I always trained and prepped for the season (I like going into things as prepared as possible). But there are definitely people out there that go into it without doing any preparation. And if that works for them, that's cool! I just knew I had to before each season.
how much pt and running do you do when not fighting fire?
Some people take the whole winter off and do nothing, I like to at least maintain my fitness so it isn't so hard to get back into shape for the summer. I would say about 2-4 times a week.
I’m terrified of the pack test, the department I’m on has a few seasonals guys that go out every year with some new or reoccurring red cards. Last year I didn’t pass and I have no idea how to train to get to a comfortable state where I know I can. The mental aspect of it is where I struggle the most. The first and only time I took it shin splints and anxiety got the best of me and only 1/4 passed so I couldn’t find a pacer. I’m out of shape with cardio right now and I want to go out, I just don’t know how to begin. I’m 21 and 5’0 145 lb female. Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I'm not sure if you already took your test, but I also get extremely bad shin splints. I am a bigger guy, and I'm also slow. I found that wrapping my feet in pt tape helps to reduce shin splints. Also, if you can find a bag with 45 lbs, I recommend walking for 45 minutes at your own pace. I recommend the 45 minutes because the pack test is only 45 minutes, so even if you can't complete 3 miles, you at least get to feel how the weight feels for the full 45 minutes. Gradually speed up your pace every couple of days. Watch shin splint exercises on yt or tiktok. Wish you the best of luck.
Hey Miranda! Not sure if you've taken your test yet but I've had many people contact me about this same thing. I want you to go into your test confident, not terrified so I've created a 4 week pack test prep workout program to help people get ready for the pack test or just start working out to get ready for the upcoming season.
It has Symmetrical Workouts, Cardio, Rucking & Strength Training.
Give it a look and see if it's something you think would benefit you. I think it will 😉
wildland-fire.myshopify.co
Good luck on your test! Keep us updated on how it goes!!!
a 4 week pack test prep workout program to help people get ready for the pack test or just
@@mannyfernandez4007 still training! I’ll have to look into taping my feet, I’ll definitely have to try that. I’ve been doing any training unfortunately all on the treadmill because we have a bad winter storm right now and have had no real nice weather recently. I did walk on the track at my gym and did .50 of a mile in 7:12 a couple weeks ago but I had to stop because my shins were hurting that bad, and the track was about to close as well.
Any tips for a short person I’m 5’7
Walk like hell lol. I’m 5’7” also and I have to do the most awkward walk run ever. It’s not physically demanding it’s just hard to keep the pace.
Im 5ft 2, anyone short af like me with tips on speeding up
You can “sprint,” as long as you have one foot on the ground, it’s a walk. You can do this half walk/run/shuffle thing. If it’s on a track you can “sprint” the straights and “walk” the curves, or just “sprint” until you’re tired and walk it out for a bit. That’s what I have to do, and I usually come in around 40 minutes give or take.
also can you run for the pack test?
You are always supposed to have one foot on the ground, so it's a fast paced walk
I love the variation in your videos! Never gets boring on your channel :D!! Do not waste your time = P r o m o s m !!
no views, 2 likes????
it's been up five minutes, dude.
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