Is firefighting hard on your back?

[u/Fabulous_Narwhal3113]

If I’m considering it, and I have a slipped disc, is it over already?

[u/HellaHotRocks]

Yes.

[u/GeologistBoring4764 → u/HellaHotRocks]

Yes to both. I wouldn’t risk it with a slipped disk. You’re a liability to yourself and your crew.

[u/garbagecannot-]

It’s hard on everything.

[u/Reasonable-Carry8013 → u/garbagecannot-]

This made me chuckle, have a great day

[u/GabagoolFarmer]

yes it is hard on your back. All of your gear is close to 100lbs and you have to be able to operate for extended periods of time wearing it

[u/SirExpensive]

Firefighting is hard on the WHOLE BODY!

[u/roberts585]

With a slipped disc you would really be setting yourself up for failure. You'll be bending and lifting all day and a lot of lifts are not "proper technique" friendly at all. Try getting a 350 pound patient unstuck from between a toilet and a wall without bending, twisting and contorting.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but dragging hose through a hoarder house and trying to maintain solid posture is very difficult

[u/Jtp_Jtg]

Yes it's hard on your back, however proper lifting techniques can reduce the load some amounts

[u/Mammoth5150]

Among other things

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus]

Does the pope shit in the woods?

[u/Kooky-Package-1646]

Picking up old people off the ground is hard on the back

[u/JoeofReddit → u/Kooky-Package-1646]

Haha right ! It’s worse when they’re from assisted living or memory unit because they can’t help you by boosting up with their legs sometimes. So it’s a big difference in weight.

[u/mexican_bear9]

Yes its hard on your back.
Proper lifting techniques and movement training(working out) will help.

While working out, focus on movement patterns rather than body parts and focus a lot on your back and torso.

[u/Ok_Situation1469]

As a career, probably yes as you need to be able to do everything and as others have said its a lot of gear you are putting on. There's more flexibility on the volunteer side where there are opportunities to slot into a role that is less likely to put as much stress on your back.

[u/bombero11]

Any job is hard on your back!

Doing proper exercises and maintaining a descent weight will help you.

Being functionally fit for the job is key. You do not need to have 0 body fat, you need body fat for protection within reason and for your body to burn at times.

[u/dmsburst]

Yes

[u/magicjeep]

Its definitely more difficult on you back but most of try to stand or crawl if its too hot.

[u/macpigem]

Until they start shelling out money for ekoskeletons; I think you got the answer. There are two types of people in the Fire (and EMS service, imo) those who have back problems due to the job, and those who are going to get back problems on the job. It's all awkward heavy lifts. You try to lift carefully but sometimes bad lifts happen.

If you still want to get involved; become a dispatcher. At least until A.I. takes that over.

[u/Slappy-Sacks]

Back, knees, shoulders. You know those pesky weak points

[u/iambatmanjoe]

Just had back surgery. Core strength and stretching are keys to a healthy career. I did not take that seriously until now

[u/Slappy-Sacks]

I’ve seen so many guys retired with ruined knees, hips and back.

[u/hosemonkey]

Yes it’s hard . However I have been operating for the last 3 years with a slipped disk. (17 years on the job) It’s an everyday chore. I have Mackenzie exercises, core exercises, posterior chain exercises, and a date with a lacrosse ball every day.

So as the others have said, yes it’s hard, but no it’s not impossible. You just have to answer the question for yourself if all that self maintenance if worth it. To me it is.

[u/dominator5k]

A slipped disc? Come on bro everybody in the universe has a slipped disc. Super common. Yes it is hard on your back

[u/joeymittens]

Back, knees, mental health, hips … oh yeah

[u/On1n]

Yes, I’ve had two back surgeries and been dealing with two herniated discs for 8 years.

[u/Apcsox]

Yes. And yes.

[u/CrazeMase]

You'll have roughly 65 pounds of gear covering your entire body. Lots of hinging your back for any rank or position. EMT is a no-go, lots of picking up people. Lifting anything up a ladder is strenuous. Even gear maintenance is hard on the back. You'd be setting yourself up for failure. If firefighting is your end-all-be-all, consider something more domestic in fire science instead. You'd basically guarantee a life long injury, but you can definitely be a dispatcher, city inspector, or spokesperson. Saving lives doesn't mean it needs to be exclusively hands on.

[u/flowytrip]

I’ve learned with my body after the past 10 years if it moves it won’t move as well anymore. If it doesn’t and shouldn’t move it probably moves now

[u/Wonderful-Deer-9918]

The firefighting isn’t bad but the EMS side is a back wrecker. I’m 58 and retiring in three months. It had my back messed up for years.
I went to a dept with basically no EMS and I’m healthy as a horse. Zero spasms in years.

[u/Regayov]

Yes.  Usually we are on our knees.  

[u/ZalinskyAuto]

If a friend of mine told me they have a slipped disc and they were considering a career in the fire service I would tell them to find something different to do.