How to choose between them
Almost every 24/7 schedule with 12-hour shifts averages 42 hours a week, because four crews share the 168 hours in a week. What changes is how those hours are grouped, and that's what you feel day to day.
If you want regular weekends, the 2-2-3 family (Pitman, Panama, 2-2-3) gives a 3-day weekend every other week, like clockwork.
If you want long breaks, 7 on 7 off gives a full week off every other week, DuPont gives 7 days off every four weeks, and 4 on 4 off gives 4 days off every eight. The trade-off is longer stretches at work.
If you don't want to switch between days and nights, look for fixed versions: fixed Pitman, fixed 4 on 4 off and fixed 3 on 3 off keep you on one shift.
If you'd rather work shorter shifts, the continental and 5 on 2 off rotations use 8-hour shifts, at the cost of more workdays and shorter breaks.
Fire and EMS mostly use 24-hour shifts: 24/48, 48/96, Kelly and 24/72.
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Questions
What is the difference between Pitman and DuPont?
Both use 12-hour shifts and four crews, and both average 42 hours a week. Pitman repeats every 14 days, never has you work more than 3 shifts in a row, and gives every other weekend off, but your breaks are never longer than 3 days. DuPont repeats every 28 days, includes one tough 72-hour week, and rewards it with 7 days off in a row every cycle.
What is the difference between Pitman and Panama?
They use the same 2-2-3 rhythm of days on and off. Pitman crews usually stay on fixed day or night shifts, while Panama crews rotate between days and nights, usually every four weeks.
Which 12-hour schedule has the most time off in a row?
DuPont and 7 on 7 off both give 7 days off in a row: 7 on 7 off every two weeks, DuPont once every four weeks. 4 on 4 off gives 4-day breaks every 8 days. Pitman, Panama and 3 on 3 off never give more than 3 days in a row.
Which firefighter schedule works the fewest hours?
24/72 averages about 42 hours a week but needs four platoons. 24/48, 48/96 and Kelly all average about 56 hours a week with three platoons; they differ in how the time off is grouped.