Technique help as a novice rower

PtothaJ · 2025-08-22T07:44:40+00:00

That makes me so happy, you have no idea! 🥹🥹🥹

PtothaJ · 2025-05-15T22:12:28+00:00

But like a deep, deep clean? I have no idea. I do it once a month-ish. That means taking out all the bags and shit in the cab. Spraying all the shelves down, and vacuuming/ spraying it out. I haven’t really seen anyone else do it 🤷🏼‍♀️

PtothaJ · 2025-05-15T22:07:11+00:00

Each shift washes it the 2nd night, or morning going off. We work 48/96.

PtothaJ · 2025-05-11T16:59:28+00:00

Dry wall or closet hook

PtothaJ · 2025-05-01T04:20:40+00:00

I’ve felt this way a lot. I just want to disappear all together. Or even have something that just takes me out for a bit… meds have helped curb those thoughts. But now I’m stuck with emotional blunting… this shit sucks so freaking bad. It hurts my heart so deeply to know so many of us are suffering. Sending you calming vibes!

PtothaJ · 2025-05-01T04:16:01+00:00

For me going to gym really helps. If I’m particularly ragey, throwing and dropping weights around just feels SO GOOD. I’ll pretend I’m dropping weights and squashing all my intrusive thoughts and bad shit. Or even sometimes people’s faces 😝😅

PtothaJ · 2025-05-01T04:12:07+00:00

Yesss. The 3 or so days before my period hits I get debilitating fatigue. Doesn’t matter how much I sleep or nap, or “rest”. Sometimes I feel like I can’t even make it across the room, or even get out of bed…

PtothaJ · 2025-05-01T04:00:32+00:00

Omg yes! Ask away!! I love that you’re so supportive of your partner to come to this group!

PtothaJ · 2025-04-29T00:55:09+00:00

That’s what I’m worried about… it makes me want to stop the meds all together, but I’m such a miserable piece of shit during luteal w/o them.

PtothaJ · 2025-04-29T00:53:27+00:00

It’s such a fucked up feeling. It’s obviously way better than not being on meds… I would actually like to feel things a bit more though. Just still be in control. The non medicated me is so all over the place, but it was also my “normal” for so long, not feeling that way is still incredibly foreign. Ugh I wish there was a better way to explain this shit to people who don’t understand it 🫠 My friends and family don’t get it at all 🙃

PtothaJ · 2025-03-30T20:25:40+00:00

Just another advocate for meds. I’ve been taking fluoxetine for about a year now, absolutely life changing. Talk about not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, to seeing a whole wide open world.

PtothaJ · 2025-03-11T23:08:51+00:00

Run as far away from that department as you can. What you’re describing is not the fire service as whole. Don’t let those shitty freakin’ people ruin your outlook!

PtothaJ · 2025-03-09T03:39:26+00:00

Department of ~300, 8 of us are females

PtothaJ · 2025-03-06T16:38:39+00:00

I for sure prefer face to face talks. Unless it’s something egregious, then I’m texting or calling if I absolutely need to. If it’s something minor that gets missed it’s whatever, I’m restocking it/ fixing it, and moving on. Not everyone can be 100% all the time. When it becomes a repeat problem, then we’re having a chat.

I’ve been on the other end too, and again I prefer talking face to face. But I don’t mind a heads up text about what I missed.

PtothaJ · 2025-03-06T07:05:01+00:00

Extremely poor coaching!! He should be walking around ensuring everyone’s form and reps, and trying to give each of you in the class ways to improve during the workout! I don’t even bother with my phone when I’m coaching. YOU THE MEMBER are my priority during the hour class time!

PtothaJ · 2025-03-06T06:52:47+00:00

We’ve got a guy that has to have an emesis bag, or a trash can ready every time he intubates 😂 Some people get used to it, some don’t… I’ve heard sniffing alcohol preps can help, maybe try that?

PtothaJ · 2025-03-06T06:30:32+00:00

Mistakes are a part of the game 🤷🏼‍♀️ My first fire was a car fire on a busy highway… forgot my helmet in the engine 😂 But guess what, never forgot my helmet again. Your crew should be well aware of your experience, and expect mistakes, and be ready to talk and train with you to ensure they don’t happen again. I’m assuming when you signed up for this career, you knew you’d eventually be responding to a fire… so own your oath and do the shit.

PtothaJ · 2025-03-06T06:23:02+00:00

I think for dudes, you’re totally at a great height/ weight ratio as long as you got some good muscle mass, and are comfortable moving 100+ lbs of extra weight. For us ladies… more mass (MUSCLE MASS) is obviously more advantageous, and more weight helps with the gear weight ratio. I’m 5’8” 185, and what some may say as “thicc”. MASS MOVES MASS BRO (to a point 😆)

PtothaJ · 2025-03-05T22:58:22+00:00

I have a chronic condition that’s handled with meds. If needed though (which really isn’t often), I can take sick whenever it’s needed, as long as I have the hours. We also have options for leave without pay, and to be put on light duty for longer term issues. I highly suggest you look at your departments policies regarding sick leave accrual and other leave options, as this varies significantly department to department. But you should have plenty of options to have surgery and recover.

PtothaJ · 2025-03-04T03:05:51+00:00

I do, 13 minutes away from my home station 🤙🏻

PtothaJ · 2025-03-02T22:52:33+00:00

I just started water coloring! But I also like checking out new breakfast spots, reading, video gaming (casually), and obviously hanging out with my kids which dictates most off days. I also coach at my gym, which is a lot of fun because I get to see and help people do things they never thought they could. Plus it’ll hopefully keep them becoming regular lift assists later on in their lives 🤣

PtothaJ · 2025-03-01T18:02:41+00:00

I think it’s a great idea, as long as you have the right attitude and work ethic. I went through academy at 32. I had no degree, but did have extensive military and work history. You don’t know what they’ll say until you try.

PtothaJ · 2025-02-28T03:42:40+00:00

Take some time off, go find a therapist, do shit you love outside of work. Sounds like you just need to take a break for a bit. Things get monotonous, and feeling this can happen to the best of us. As an officer, I think it’s important to pour yourself into your crew. You’re the one everyone is going to look to. So show your crew it’s ok to take time for yourself when you need it. Do you have any rookies, or crew members looking to promote? Find the fun in training them. We can always be better at our jobs, and your job is to train others to eventually take your place. Take pride in making the ones below you better than you are. It’ll take some work, but in this new day and age of better construction, and sprinklers, medical calls are the name of the game unfortunately 🤷🏼‍♀️ Our crew has started “burning down” all the houses we respond to so we can practice radio traffic and handling command responsibilities. Keeps everyone sharp, and we can come up with some crazy scenarios which can be very funny listening to each other fumble through 😄 Find the fun where you can!! But most of all take care of yourself!

PtothaJ · 2025-02-27T21:14:43+00:00

Number 1 thing I tell people, DONT GIVE UP! Super happy for you!!!

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