Done with the firefighting course!
it wasn't easy.
in fact it was the toughest week so far for me.
we attended this course was for us to understand the physical demands of a firefighter.
and after what i went through, they need to be quite fit.
just wearing the firefighting suit can make you lose weight.
its like wearing a winter jacket in the summer.
and doing physical activities with it ain't nice.

during the course, we learnt quite a bit about what firemen do.
stuff like laying of the hose, operation of the hydrant, ladder drills and the use of the breathing apparatus.

laying of the hose sounds easy but it isnt.
the hose itself weighs 10kg.
and one has to carry 2hoses on their shoulder.
we're suppose to lay it out and then pack it up over and over again.
and this was done in our wonderful singapore weather.

the hydrant was easier but still tough due to the heat.
again it involved the hose laying.
we get to learn on to turn it on and learn how to operate 2 types of hydrants.
sometimes people say there ain't many hydrants around but in fact most of them are underground.

another skill we learnt was the operation of 2 types of ladders.
one was called the triple extension ladder which can extend to about 5m in length.
we were made to run around with the ladder and then set it up properly so we could access the 2nd story of the building.
another ladder we learnt how to operate was called the medium ladder.
this ladder was 10m in length.
this ladder can be used to access as high as 3stories of a building.
again we were made to run around with it and set it up.
after we learnt how to operate the 2 ladders, we applied hose laying together with it.
like climbing the ladder with the hose.

and then we learnt how to use the breathing apparatus.
its basically carrying an oxygen tank on your back and breathing from it.
it makes breathing much easier that i must say.
we were put into a maze which was in total darkness and we had to find our way out of it.
teams of 4 were formed and through teamwork we managed to do it rather well.
i wonder how the firefighters can move around not knowing what is in front of them.
we were only in simulation and it was quite hard to move around, thus we should all have a lot of respect of them. haha

anyway, at least now we know what they go through, so as PTI, we know how to adjust the training accordingly and know what muscle groups are needed etc.
the week was tough and tiring but at least its another week down and another step closer to passing out.
this coming week is the start of our instructor preparatory course where we learn how to be instructors.

5more weeks!

another week down, another week closer to becoming a PTI
the past week was kinda fun
had a number of tests, managed to pull through
some even surpassing my expectations while others i felt i didn't do too well
but the main point is to pass and get my pti badge. haha

we had lectures on physiology and prevention and management of sports injuries
more topics that will help us understand the body better and thus knowing how to train it better
physiology was a little tough for me as i'm not that good in science
so trying to remember all the formulae and the chemical reaction the body has when its doing different kind of exercises was a little tough
but with the help of some of my teammates, i managed to do quite well for the test

the other lecture we underwent was much simplier as it didn't involve much science
rather more on common sense
in this topic i learnt what kind of fracture i had on my left arm and why it needed metal plating and screws. haha
in this topic we also learnt how to tape
tapping is just to give the ligaments, joints more support and prevent them from injuries
and we covered sports massage!
i'll teach my mum and dad how to do it so they can help me with my back. haha
it just hurts from time to time and it really gets uncomfortable.
luckily i'm in this course, now at least i can help myself instead of going to a physiologist where they charge a lot for a single session( though its great!)

then came the physical tests
this week they conducted the swimming test and the standard obstacle course test
i happy to say that i passed both
for the swimming test, i didn't know i could swim that fast
or rather meet the 100% mark
swam 50m( the length of an olympic swimming pool) in 45sec
was quite shocked to hear of my timing really. haha

however, i didn't do that well for my standard obstacle course
during recruit time, i clocked under 8mins
now however i only managed to clock just under 9min
which is barely a pass
it just showed me that training msut be done during the weekends in order to improve myself
training is tough but i need to do extra as i'm not that fit and the remaining 2 fitness tests will be much tougher

well at least i've cleared more tests in this course in which i'm glad of
this coming week will be firefighting course
saw the schedule for the week and it won't be easy
will be going through ladder drills, hose drills, using the breathing apparatus etc
this pti course is different from the previous course
last time the course was just 3weeks of pure physical training while our pilot group is based more on knowledge on sports sciences and it also includes the firefighting course.
so, i'm finally enjoying my time in this course.
6more weeks and i'll be through!

2 weeks down, 7 to go
7more weeks till i pass out as a physical training instructor
till then, it's tough training everyday but i just gotta pull through this period

i'm already seeing the benefits in my performances
i feel lighter, faster and not to mention slimmer. haha
the standard obstacle course is our playground
clearing it now seems second nature.
but doing it with a 5kg bag pack and after a long run is tough.
practising standing broad jump across the parade square makes the legs shake.
its all energy draining, but tough training is the only way to improve one's self.

we've not only become stronger and fitter but also gained more knowledge on each type of training.
knowing the correct techniques of sprinting, running and jogging, the breathing techniques, etc
each training session we know more about what this and that training helps in building up our different systems of our body.

and being the pilot group of the new PTI course, we go through theory lessons such as anatomy and body composition.(not just physical training)
SCDF got lecturers from various schools such as NIE and Spore Sports School.
the knowledge they pass onto us are very helpful.
it really helps me to understand the way my body works and thus helps me train better.

the first 2 weeks were tough and there were some problems
but everything now has settled and i'm getting used to the schedule
friendship among the 15 of us are good
teamwork is everything in this course
there is no strongest, there is no weakest.
everyone goes through the same thing and we gotta pull through together
only that way all of us can sucessfully complete this course

Perserverance and Endurance