As an officer with asthma who is also a police officer, you may be wondering if you can be a police officer with asthma.
As an officer with asthma, you may be at a higher risk for health effects from inhaled allergens such as dust particles. As a result, you may be less able to apply proper pressure on a person or event and can become limited in your ability to perform your duties.
There are some ways to be able to apply pressure on a person or event, such as using your forearm pressure or the use of specialized equipment. However, these methods are not for the faint of heart!
This article will talk about ways for someone with asthma who is interested in being a police officer to get into the profession.
Contents:
Visit the police department
As a police officer, you can make giant steps toward building your career. Meet new people, do cool things, and you can prove yourself as a professional.
As an asthma policeman, you may be able to walk the streets in an environment that is stressful and busy. You will learn how to de-escalate situations and take charge of them.
You may be called upon to deal with violence or threats of violence. As an asthma policeman, you may be required to wear equipment that includes a hard hat, BreatheR mouth-assist devices, and safety glasses.
Visit the police department every year for training and support. The Police Department hosts many events each year to help build community relations and rapport with the community.
Bring medical documentation
As a cmd officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you may be able to have access to special training and equipment not available to the average police officer.
Much of this training is reserved for police officers who use their medical knowledge or expertise during a crisis. This includes being able to access medical supplies and equipment, providing assistance with first aid and breathing techniques, and providing security during events.
As an officer with asthma whom is also a medic, you can gain valuable experience that would be hard to get as a non-medical person. Having this experience will help you in your job as well as give you pride in what you are doing.
Security is also important when attending events where security is needed.
Talk to your doctor
It is illegal for most police officers to have a medical evaluation before applying for a job as a police officer. This is due to medical insurance requirements.
As a minimum, applicants must have their physical exam and/or mental test scores are above fair-to-poor. In some cases, medical screening can be considered during the application process.
Medical screening is not required before joining a membership organization, so long as the physician who signs off on the evaluation is also responsible for hiring and firing members of that organization.
Many doctors will sign off on membership applications but not signatures due to restrictions on whom they will allow into their organizations. Members with disabilities may be excluded from jobs that require certain skills or require members to travel outside of their area of expertise.
Check your asthma medication
Most asthma medicines aren’t recommended for officers because of the risk of dizziness or fainting. However, if your officer has a hard time breathing, then he or she may need a little extra medication to help get enough air.
If your officer needs an extra dosage of medication, ask for it by all means. Most medications have to be applied with a dropper, so if the officer has trouble applying the medication, it can be saved as evidence.
As an officer with asthma, you may be able to carry an inhaler at all times so that you can get some relief from the symptoms. If you need to take a quick break while using your inhaler, hold it against your nose and breath through it as hard as you can!
Having an eye protection plan is also important when working in close proximity to others. They may not feel your asthma is severe enough to require eye protection, but it does help prevent any burns or injuries that cause pain and/or discomfort.
Exercise management
As an officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you may be able to manage your exercise without worrying about getting a workout in.
Many duties require physical fitness, and are part of job training. Fitness is a part of daily life, and job training provides important work skills in order to apply for jobs.
Athletics departments have made fitness programs available for free to the public. Many meet organized group classes as well as individual sessions. Watch this video to learn about how an asthma-controlled athlete can benefit from joining a gym.
Asthma and exercise do not mix
Asthmatic police officers know that a asthma-friendly lifestyle is hard enough without also having to avoid exercise.
Many officers have to constantly break their daily exercise routine because of their asthma.
This can be a huge distraction and cost to have around. Luckily, there are ways for the asthmatic police officer to stay motivated and active.
From keeping a fitness plan to finding ways to dress casually, there are many ways the asthmatic can reach and maintain a fitness goal. keep an eye out on social media for #asthmicsquad events and/or fitness conferences to find new tips and ideas.
Many agencies offer fitness classes or meetups where members of the community can go together, but it must be done by an official source so it does not go unnoticed.
Take control of your asthma
As a police officer with asthma, you may be able to control your asthma by being aware of your environment. This includes being mindful of your breathing in situations where breathing is important.
Knowing how long it takes your asthma to respond to air pollution can help determine when you should leave the house or precautions should be implemented.
Many jobs have physical requirements that require work-appropriate clothing and equipment, such as in health care or law enforcement. Luckily, there are many ways for you to get into shape and into work!
There are several ways to manage your asthma on the job. Pay attention to air quality and weather conditions to determine whether or not you need to take precautions.
See your doctor regularly
It is important to be aware of your asthmatic relative’s health and to seek medical treatment if there is a concern.
Many doctors will tell them-let-thine-spirit-call-upon-theewhento-come-for— Asthma causes air to become restricted, which can cause symptoms when breathing becomes difficult.
A doctor can detect this by testing blood and lung function, or by imaging techniques such as chest x-rays or spirometry.
One of the most important things a doctor can do for an asthmatic relative is see their doctor regularly. Doctors receive annual reviews to make sure they are meeting their patient’s needs and change up these meetings when needed.
When the time comes for a new review, the doctor can bring up the importance of regular checkups with the patient’s family and with other doctors.