Contents

Behavioral First Aid: Managing Emotions During Emergencies.

The purpose of this book is to assist those called upon during emergencies/crises feel more confident and comfortable managing emotions. It offers clear, practical, hands on advice regarding emotional care during psychiatric, behavioral, or medical emergencies.

Significant emotional distress can be expected when dealing with any emergency or crisis. Such situations naturally provoke intense emotional reactions for all involved. In an emergency situation, good communication between the responder and the victim is crucial; it can make the difference between success and failure. Emotional distress, if unrecognized or ignored, will make victims more difficult to help.  In addition, rescuers must first deal with their own emotions before they can assist others. Caregivers must remain calm in order to make rapid, good decisions and provide clear instructions; victims must be calm enough to understand and follow instructions.  Although  emergency responders may be comfortable dealing with the most complicated medical emergencies, when they are dealing with someone who is extremely anxious, threatening suicide, psychotic, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, violent, having a panic attack, or  hysterical, they often feel less confident, more anxious, and  unsure of what to say or do.

The techniques described in Behavioral First Aid will assist in dealing with all crises and emergencies regardless of type. The use of this book will decrease safety risks, avoid worsening of the crisis, and facilitate the victim getting help as quickly and smoothly as possible.  Use in psychiatric and behavioral emergencies will help to reduce violence and suicide, and prevent tragedy.

This text can be used “on the job” and in the training of: emergency medical technicians, firemen, nurses, paramedics, physicians, policemen, and other safety professionals. It will also be useful for counselors, social workers, teachers and all those who may be called upon to deal with people in crisis.