Starting Academy , Contacts or Glasses????

[Agent_Chaos714]

Hey I start Police Academy in a month and I currently wear Glasses....I'd like to get some advise as to whether or not I should switch to contacts, or if I'd be just as fine with Glasses as an LEO....any help is appreciated!

[pac201]

I started wearing contacts about 10 years ago, wish I had started a lot sooner. There are hazards when wearing them though...

[Agent_Chaos714]

I started wearing contacts about 10 years ago, wish I had started a lot sooner. There are hazards when wearing them though...

PAC,
what issues have you had with your contacts? and what are some hazards with glasses? other than the obvious getting them slapped off or broken.

I'd like to have my choices weighed out so I know what I should decide

[Switchback]

Contact suck when pepper is used.

I would suggest springing for disposable ones. That way, when you lose a contact, you are out about $0.75 each. So, if one gets knocked out during DT, no big deal.

I wore mine in the academy, but on some days you must wear glasses... such as when you are getting sprayed.

[Agent_Chaos714]

Contact suck when pepper is used.

I would suggest springing for disposable ones. That way, when you lose a contact, you are out about $0.75 each. So, if one gets knocked out during DT, no big deal.

I wore mine in the academy, but on some days you must wear glasses... such as when you are getting sprayed.

thanks switchback,
your info is always appreciated, I think i am now leaning towards sticking with glasses, its just the getting hit in the face and them getting broken or knocked off that worries me, maybe i should go with the contacts, but keep a pair of glasses with me.

[Switchback]

You can always pullyour glasses off for the contact drills.

[pac201]

what they said ^

the issues have been addressed basically, also later meth chemicals are not your friend;(don't know if you plan on doing drug work or not) you will definitely want to have on glasses. As for glasses, spring for a good pair. I have the titanium frames and the polycarbonate lens. They won't get broken so easily...

[Agent_Chaos714]

what they said ^

the issues have been addressed basically, also later meth chemicals are not your friend;(don't know if you plan on doing drug work or not) you will definitely want to have on glasses. As for glasses, spring for a good pair. I have the titanium frames and the polycarbonate lens. They won't get broken so easily...

Thank you so much pac, thats a really good idea, I have some titanium frames right now and Ive had them for 2 years+ im in dire need of new lenses though. Ill definately get a new pair soon!

[Switchback]

I had surgery and wear high-speed glasses all the time... unbreakable, polarized, transition lenses.

[Agent_Chaos714]

I had surgery and wear high-speed glasses all the time... unbreakable, polarized, transition lenses.

WOW sounds expensive:cool:

you i noticed in a different thread you said you were federal....how long have you been in that field and hows it treating you?

im asking because as of now my goal is geared towards Criminal Investigation or possibly federal

[Switchback]

I'm pushing 13 years. I've had it REALLY good for a long time... these days, it's only gotten better, so I am living the dream.

[retdetsgt]

The worst drawback I found to wearing glasses at work was when I had to enter a warm environment from a cold one. The glasses would immediately fog up.

But like Switch said, if you get into a chemical environment, your contacts will suck up all the bad stuff. I fried several sets of contacts when I was working drug labs. I had the surgery and that worked well until I was in my 50's. It's not worth going back for it again now.

[Agent_Chaos714]

The worst drawback I found to wearing glasses at work was when I had to enter a warm environment from a cold one. The glasses would immediately fog up.

But like Switch said, if you get into a chemical environment, your contacts will suck up all the bad stuff. I fried several sets of contacts when I was working drug labs. I had the surgery and that worked well until I was in my 50's. It's not worth going back for it again now.

yeah i thought about the surgery too, but have heard it can wear off after a while.

And Switchback, im definatley looking to be up on your tier of "living the dream" one of these days, so make room!:D

[retdetsgt]

And Switchback, im definatley looking to be up on your tier of "living the dream" one of these days, so make room!:D

Living the dream is fine, but don't let it become who you are. Because at some point in your life, you won't be that anymore. Then who will you be? I think that's why a lot of LE retirees die early, they put too much into being their job. When they aren't that anymore, then they're nobody. Believe me, I'm an ex cop, but I'm still a Dad, a husband, etc. Once some people aren't cops anymore, they don't think the other stuff is good enough.... ;)

It's fun, but it's still only a job. Keep that in perspective.

[Agent_Chaos714]

Living the dream is fine, but don't let it become who you are. Because at some point in your life, you won't be that anymore. Then who will you be? I think that's why a lot of LE retirees die early, they put too much into being their job. When they aren't that anymore, then they're nobody. Believe me, I'm an ex cop, but I'm still a Dad, a husband, etc. Once some people aren't cops anymore, they don't think the other stuff is good enough.... ;)

It's fun, but it's still only a job. Keep that in perspective.

Thanks for the advise, which really puts things into a perspective I havent considered yet, I am a husband and a Dad of a beautiful 1 year old baby girl and they are my life, I couldnt imagine being without them and will always strive to keep them first. bringing that to my attention is a well put warning on an issue I hadnt thought of before.