Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 8th Edition

Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 256

trainers can help responders learn to better con- trol their stress levels in emergencies. Not only might the techniques assist the medics, but the same techniques can be used to calm stressed-out bystanders and patients. It is also useful for first responders and trainers to know that stress chemicals are released when someone is required to perform an unmastered skill in a crisis. In other words, novices in the use of satellite phones, beacons, or other rescue equip- ment commonly make mistakes in emergencies, unless very-user-friendly directions are included. Once a crisis has passed it is common for people to want to congregate, to share stories, and to mill around. Many feel soothed by human touch—a warm embrace, a hand on a shoulder, or a light finger to one’s forearm can reduce blood pressures and pulses almost immediately. First responders

who are focusing their attentions on the injured are often unaware of the fear and anxiety they inadvertently add to scene when they ask loved ones and bystanders to stand back or step aside. Recognizing these, and other behavioral charac- teristics, is as much a part of situational awareness as recognizing risks associated with stabilization, treatment and evacuation. Your own performance as a rescuer can be a hazard or a benefit depending on your response. By anticipating and training for the problems associated with high-intensity situ- ations, you and your team can be better prepared for the realities associated with true crises.