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EMT Well Being. Who takes care of us?. The Well-Being of the EMT-1. Personal health, safety, and well-being are vital to an EMS operation Hazards are common Mental and physical stresses are part of the job. Rescuer well being. Death & dying Critical Incident Stress CISM
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EMT Well Being Who takes care of us?
The Well-Being of the EMT-1 • Personal health, safety, and well-being are vital to an EMS operation • Hazards are common • Mental and physical stresses are part of the job.
Rescuer well being Death & dying Critical Incident Stress CISM Scene Safety and Personal Protection
Death and Dying Few people have witnessed death Death is something you will have to face Think about it ahead of time *remember hearing is the last sense to go
The Grieving Process 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance
What Can an EMT-1 Do? Provide support Make helpful statements Be sincere Understand that grief is a process
Dealing With Family Members Be calm Use a gentle tone of voice Respect the family’s wishes Do not create false hope
Signs of Stress • Sleep problems – nightmares, insomnia, hypersomnia • Headaches • Changes in appetite • Fatigue • Irritability • Anxiety • Mood swings • Isolation • Substance abuse • “Normal responses to abnormal stress”
Stress Management Positive and negative ways to handle it Stress is unavoidable Understand the effects Find balance in life
Strategies to Manage Stress (1 of 2) Eliminate stressors Change partners Stop complaining Expand your social support system
Strategies to Manage Stress (2 of 2) Minimize the physical response by: Taking a deep breath Stretching Exercise Proper nutrition
Signs and Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Depression Startle reactions Flashback phenomena Amnesia of event
Critical Incident Stress Multi-casualty Incidents (MCI) Infant and child trauma Patients that remind us of loved ones Death or injury of a coworker Extreme circumstances Amputations abuse
Critical Incident Stress Management Confronts responses to critical incidents Process designed to help EMS personnel defuse responses to critical incidents Composed of trained peers and mental health professionals
CISM – Components Pre-incident stress education On-scene peer support Disaster support services Defusings
CISM – Components CISD Follow-up services Spouse and Family support Community Outreach talk, talk, talk, talk (to people that understand)
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) Held within 24 to 72 hours All information is confidential CISD leaders offer suggestions for overcoming the stress It Works - Cerritos versus San Diego
Stop Questions?