Heart Rates in Fire Fighters Using Light and Heavy Breathing Equipment: Similar Near-Maximal Exertion in Response to Multiple Work Load Conditions

Intense exertion is an occupational hazard inherent to fire fighting. This study was designed to look at the exertion levels that fire fighters attain during a fire fighting exercise when using (1) no self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), (2) light SCBA, and (3) heavy SCBA. Exertion levels were measured as a function of the heart rate increase relative to the maximum predicted heart rate determined by a standard treadmill exercise test. Five fire fighters wore electrocardiographic monitors during a routine fire fighting exercise. Heart rates increased rapidly to 70% to 80% of maximum within the first minute and then plateaued at 90% to 100% until the attack on the fire was completed. There was no significant difference between exertion levels when using no SCBA, light SCBA, and heavy SCBA (splitplot analysis of variance, p > .25). These results suggest that fire fighters attain an intense level of physical activity quickly and maintain that level as long as they are actively engaged in fighting fire. These results also suggest that regardless of the weight of the SCBA, if employed, fire fighters exert themselves from 85% to 100% of their maximum and adjust their work output to maintain that near-maximal level.