Austin, TX NFPA 1582 Gerkin Treadmill test?

[texasFF1]

I applied at Austin FD and their medical screening is the NFPA 1582, including the Gerkin Treadmill test. Does anyone have experience with this? I know the test ends when I reach 85% of my target heart rate, which for me is 158 bpm. So it is my understanding that the test will end for me if my heart rate hits 158, even if the test hasn't ran the full 12:30 minutes.

Does anyone from Austin or the other FD's that participate in the NFPA 1582 regulations know if this will automatically kick me out of the process if this happens? I would appreciate any info on this.

[SVTxDUDE]

Sorry this being off topic but, have you been called in for a medical already?

[texasFF1]

No, it comes after the CPAT, which will be in the next few weeks. I know I can beat the stepmill for 3:20, but with the Gerkin test, they monitor your heart rate and when you hit your calculated limit, it stops, even if you feel ok.

[Fitguy51]

If you read the protocols for the Gerkin Test you would find that the 12:30 is the goal you want to reach not the end of the test. The test is run until exhaustion, at which time the treadmill is slowed to 3 mph @ 0% grade.

[texasFF1]

Yeah, I have read where some places let you go until exhaustion, and some places make you stop at your specified heart rate, even though you still feel good. I know I am still feeling good with my heartrate at 158 when I'm exercising.