Physiologic strain of SCBA confidence course training compared to circuit training and live-fire training

Firefighting is a dangerous occupation and even training carries substantial risks. Self-contained breathing apparatus confidence courses (SCBACC) are a common type of training.

Purpose: Compare the physiological strain of SCBACC to live-fire training (LFT) and circuit training (CT) among academy cadets.

Methods: Cadets wore physiologic status monitors to assess heart rate (HR) and estimated core temperature (ECT) during CT, LFT, and SCBACC of similar duration (33-38 min).

Results: Data from 52 cadet firefighters (28 ± 4 yrs old) were analyzed. ECT (38.6 ± 0.4 vs 39.3 ± 0.7 vs. 39.3 ± 0.6ᵒC), peak HR (182.6 ± 9.1 vs. 192.7 ± 9.5 vs 195.9 ± 9.6 bpm), and age-predicted maximal HR (APMHR%; 94.6 ± 4.6 vs 99.9 ± 4.9 vs. 101.5 ± 4.8%) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower for CT than SCBACC and LFT, respectively.

Conclusions: SCBACC produced physiological strain greater than CT and similar to LFT. SCBACC resulted in sustained HR at 100% of age-predicted maximal values, a peak ECT of 39.3 °C, and should be considered as physiologically stressful as LFT.