For renewal of all licenses or Merchant Mariner’s Credentials with qualified ratings other than Lifeboatman, you must not have blood pressure higher than 160/100 if under the age 50 or higher than 175/100 if over 50, regardless of treatment or medication.
If you want more information on the Coast Guard’s physical examination standards, connect here to NVIC 2-98
If you are renewing a Certificate of Registry, Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC) with Lifeboatman, or MMC without qualified ratings, you are not required to submit a physical examination report (Form CG-719K). However, if you plan to work on seagoing vessels beyond the boundary lines, you will have to submit documentation from a U.S. licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner certifying that you have the agility, strength, and flexibility to:
Climb steep or vertical ladders Maintain balance on a moving deck Pull heavy fire hoses up to 400 feet, and have the ability to lift fully charged fire hoses Rapidly don an exposure suit Step over door sills of 24 inches in height, and Open or close watertight doors that may weigh up to 56 pounds. What if I don’t meet the physical requirements? Not meeting the vision, hearing, or general physical condition required for renewal does not automatically cause you to be denied. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard may consider you for a physical waiver if extenuating circumstances warrant special consideration. The REC reviewing your application may request that your physician provide additional information to support a waiver in such cases.
“Dangerous drugs” – under the Department of Transportation rules are: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and amphetamines. Proof that you are free of dangerous drugs is required with your renewal application. Only a screening that tests for the five dangerous drugs is accepted. All tests must be conducted in accordance with “Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs” in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 40 and done by laboratories certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. All qualifying random and periodic drug-testing programs must also meet these requirements.
A listing of approved laboratories is also available online at www.drugfreeworkplace.gov. When the main page comes on screen click on “Drug Testing” and then click on “Certified Labs”. By contacting one of these labs they will direct you to the collection facility that is nearest to your location
A completed drug test form (report or letter) signed by the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or authorized representative of a consortium showing that you passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs conducted in accordance with 49 CFR 40 within the previous six months with no subsequent positive drug tests during the remainder of the six-month period.
A letter on company or consortium stationary signed by the authorized official that administers the drug testing program stating that you passed a pre-employment or periodic test for dangerous drugs within the previous six months with no subsequent positive drug tests during the remainder of the six month period.
A letter on company or consortium stationary signed by the authorized official that administers the drug testing program stating that you have been subject to random drug testing required by 46 CFR 16.230 for at least 60 days during the previous 185 days and did not fail or refuse to participate in any required chemical test.
If you are an active duty U.S. military member, a letter from your command stating that you have been subject to random drug testing for the past six months and have not failed or refused to participate in any required test. Random testing letters are not accepted for reserve military members since they are only subject to testing during monthly drills. However, if you are a reserve or active duty member and passed a required chemical test for dangerous drugs within the previous six months, then you may submit a letter from your command stating this.
Recruit basic training is rigorous and demanding. To succeed, you must commit to preparing yourself now. Prior to your arrival for recruit basic training, you need to prepare yourself physically, mentally, financially, and bring the permitted personal items listed in this section of The Helmsman.
You MUST arrive physically fit and ready to comfortably EXCEED the minimum standards. If you're taking the first steps toward fitness, ensure that you consult with your doctor before starting any fitness training program.
Fitness training balances four elements of good health. Make sure your routine includes aerobic fitness, strength training, core exercises, and flexibility and stretching.
Coast Guard PhysicalAerobic activity, also known as cardio or endurance activity, is the cornerstone of most fitness training programs. Aerobic activity or exercise causes you to breathe faster and more deeply, which maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your heart will beat faster, increasing blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs.
The better your aerobic fitness, the more efficiently your heart, lungs, and blood vessels transport oxygen throughout your body, and the easier it is to complete routine physical tasks and rise to unexpected challenges.
Aerobic activity includes any physical activity that uses large muscle groups and increases your heart rate. Try walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and water aerobics.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. You can also try high-intensity interval training, which involves alternating short bursts of intense activity (around 30 seconds) with subsequent recovery periods (around three to four minutes) of lighter activity. For example, you could include bursts of running in your brisk jogs.
Muscular fitness is another key component of a fitness training program. Strength training can help you increase bone strength and muscular fitness, and it can help you manage or lose weight. It can also improve your ability to do everyday activities. Aim to include strength training of all the major muscle groups into your fitness routine at least twice a week.
Most fitness centers offer various resistance machines, free weights, and other tools for strength training. Resistance bands are an inexpensive option. Your own body weight counts, too. Try push-ups, pull-ups, bent-knee sit-ups and leg squats.
The muscles in your abdomen, lower back, and pelvis (known as your core muscles) help protect your back and connect upper and lower body movements. Core strength is a key element of a well-rounded fitness training program.
Core exercises help train your muscles to brace the spine and enable you to use your upper and lower body muscles more effectively. A core exercise is any exercise that uses the trunk of your body without support, such as bridges, planks, bent-knee sit-ups, and fitness ball exercises.
Flexibility is an important aspect of physical fitness and it's a good idea to include stretching and flexibility activities in a fitness program. Stretching exercises can help increase flexibility, which can make it easier for you to do many everyday activities.
Stretching can also improve the range of motion of your joints and may promote better posture. Regular stretching can even help relieve stress and tension.
Consider stretching after you exercise—when your muscles are warm and receptive to stretching. If you want to stretch before a workout, warm up first by walking or exercising for 540 minutes before stretching.
Ideally, you'll stretch whenever you exercise. If you don't exercise regularly, you might want to stretch at least two to three times a week after warming up to maintain flexibility. Activities such as yoga promote flexibility, too.
Aim to incorporate aerobic fitness, strength training, core exercises, and flexibility/stretching into your exercise plan. It isn't necessary to fit each of these elements into every fitness session but factoring them into your regular routine can help you promote fitness for life and help prepare you for basic training.
Special Note To maintain weight and health, do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. To lose weight, do 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Stop using any tobacco or e-cigarette products immediately. If 21 or older, moderate your alcohol use and/or stop consumption of alcohol. Follow a low-fat nutrition plan. Dress accordingly for the elements. Invest in footwear that aligns with your fitness training program to reduce the chance of injury. Make sure you stay hydrated. Train now. Come ready! Minimum Physical Fitness Standards Bent-Knee Sit Ups Minimum Qualification for Graduation Male: 38 in one minute Female: 32 in one minute This exercise measures abdominal muscular endurance.
Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the deck, hands cupped behind your ears, and if necessary, have someone hold your feet for stability. Keep your lower back on the deck and raise your upper body approximately 90 degrees, touching your elbows to your knees before beginning a controlled descent back to the deck. Once your lower back touches the deck, you can raise your upper body again. Do not tuck your chin into your chest as this causes strain on your neck.
