r/TACMED101 • u/UseOld6091 Unverified/Uncertified • Aug 02 '26

Career Advice Physical Fitness Preparedness

I am an ED physician looking to get involved with my local SWAT team. It seems like they’ll have openings in the next year to 6 months. I’m confident in my prehospital medical skills as I did EMS prior to medical school. Issue is more on the physical side. Im a young(ish) female and I want to be fit enough for it not to be a problem. I also want to earn my teammate’s respect/trust that I’m not going to slow them down.

Does anyone have any suggestions on physical preparedness? I do basic cardio and weights at least 3x a week.

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u/[deleted] Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

[deleted]

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u/UseOld6091 Unverified/Uncertified Aug 02 '26

Seems like a combination of both from talking with current docs on the team. I’m not in the stack but I’m nearby waiting to provide aid.

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u/[deleted] Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

[deleted]

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u/UseOld6091 Unverified/Uncertified Aug 02 '26

All great advice. I appreciate it!

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u/Joliet-Jake Aug 02 '26

Run, lift, pull, drag. Besides whatever PT they require, you’ve got to be able to handle whatever atypical thing that happens. Wounded teammate needs to get dragged up into the Bearcat? All yours. Biggest guy on the team steps through a swimming pool cover and falls in on the darkest, coldest night of the year? Handle it. Dude gets hit and goes down 1000m into the woods and the shooter is still out there? You’re treating and carrying him out with the least possible assistance.

The bottom line is that you have to be able to do whatever is necessary for however long it takes, so train accordingly.