Emergency Medical Response You Are the Emergency Medical Responder Your police unit responds to a call for a medical emergency involving a man who has collapsed in front of a school building. When you and your partner arrive, you see that the man is bleeding from the mouth and face. Vomit and blood are on the ground around him. “His face hit the ground when he fell,” a bystander says. The victim does not appear to be breathing.. Lesson 3: The Well-Being of the Emergency Medical Responder

Emergency Medical Response Stressful Situations  Dangerous situations  Physical and psychological demands  Critically injured or ill people  Death and dying patients  Overpowering sights, smells and sounds  Multiple-patient situations  Angry or upset patients, family and bystanders

Emergency Medical Response Exceptions to Resuscitation  Valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order present at the scene  Patient with obvious signs of death Tissue decay Rigor mortis Obvious mortal wounds Dependent lividity  Situation endangering to EMR’s life

Emergency Medical Response Stages of Grief  Denial  Anger  Bargaining  Depression  Acceptance

Emergency Medical Response Warning Signs of Stress  Sleep problems  Irritability  Sadness, anxiety or guilt  Indecisiveness or lack of concentration  Loss of appetite or interest in sexual activity or work  Isolation or hopelessness  Alcohol or drug misuse/abuse

Emergency Medical Response Critical Incident Stress Reactions  Confusion, shortened attention span or poor concentration  Denial, guilt, depression or anger  Change in interactions with others  Increased or decreased eating  Uncharacteristic or excessive humor or silence  Any other unusual behavior

Emergency Medical Response Activity You are the first to arrive on the scene of a multi- vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and several cars. The driver of the tractor trailer is severely injured with a portion of his hand partially severed. A person in one of the cars, a young teenager, has been thrown through the windshield and is lying in a contorted position on the side of the road. Another person is trapped in the car and unable to move her leg.

Emergency Medical Response Steps to Relieve Stress After an Incident  Quick relaxation techniques  Healthy meal  No caffeinated beverages  Avoidance of alcohol and drugs  Event review  Rest  Involvement in physical activity  Debriefing/defusing

Emergency Medical Response You Are the Emergency Medical Responder After emergency medical services (EMS) personnel assumed the care of your patient, you note that, in addition to the blood and vomit on the ground there is some blood on your disposable gloves and the mask of your BVM.

Emergency Medical Response Health of the Emergency Medical Responder  Physical well-being Physical fitness, nutrition and sleep Prevention of disease transmission Safety, including protection from the sun  Mental well-being Stress management techniques Balance of work and life demands Avoid alcohol or drug use or misuse