1. Chapter 2
The Well-Being of
the EMT-Basic

2. Chapter 2
Emotion and Stress
Scene Safety
Personal Protection

3. Emotion and Stress

4. Death and Dying
Stages
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

5. Death and Dying Patient and Family Needs Dignity & Respect Sharing
Communications
Privacy
Control

6. Death and Dying
Reaction of
Family
Rage
Anger
Despair

7. Death and Dying Dealing with Patient and Family Listen empathetically.
Use a gentle tone of voice.
Use a reassuring touch,
if appropriate.
Do not falsely reassure.

8. EMS Stressful Situations: Mass-Casualty Incidents

9. EMS Stressful Situations: Infant and Child Trauma

10. EMS Stressful Situations:
Amputations

11. EMS Stressful Situations
Death or injury of a coworker
Infant/elderly/spouse abuse

12. Stress: Warning Signs Irritability toward coworker, family, friends
Inability to concentrate
Insomnia and/or nightmares
(Continued)

13. Stress: Warning Signs Anxiety Indecisiveness Guilt Loss of Appetite
(Continued)

14. Stress: Warning Signs Loss of interest in sex Isolation
Loss of interest in work

15. Stress Management Lifestyle Changes Change diet. (Continued)
Reduce sugar, caffeine, & alcohol.
Avoid fatty foods.
Increase carbohydrates.
(Continued)

16. Stress Management Lifestyle Changes Exercise Relaxation
Meditation, visual imagery
Balance work, family, recreation,
and health

17. Stress Management Environmental Changes Request shifts that allow more
time with family & friends.
Request duty assignment to a
less busy area.

18. Stress Management
Seek professional help
if needed.

19. Stress: Reactions of Family and Friends
Lack of understanding
Fear (of separation, being ignored)
Stress (caused by on-call situations)
Frustration (wanting to share)

20. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)

21. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Within hours post-incident
Open discussion (feelings, fears, reactions)
All information confidential
(Continued)

22. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Not an investigation or
interrogation.
CISD team offers suggestions on
overcoming stress.

23. Scene Safety

24. Body Substance Isolation
Protects EMT-B and patient.
Assumes all body substances are
infectious.
Procedures set by OSHA and
local policy.

25. The biohazard symbol identifies potentially infectious items.

26. Wash hands thoroughly, even if
gloves were used.

27. Wear latex, vinyl, or synthetic gloves.

28. Use protective eyewear.

29. Gowns protect clothing from fluid splatter.

30. Mask/eyeshield combination offers protection from fluid splatter.

31. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)
respirator protects you from tuberculosis.

32. Infectious Disease Prevention
Preventive vaccines
Immune status verification (Titer)
Testing (Tuberculin PPD)

33. Personal Protection

34. Hazardous Materials Incidents
EMT-B identifies situations.
Specialized teams control scene.
EMT-Bs treat patients after
contamination is limited.

35. Identify situations from a distance.

36. Placards help identify hazardous materials.

37. DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (Hazardous Materials Reference)

38. Rescue: Identify Threats
Electricity
Fire
Explosion
Hazardous materials

39. Protective Clothing
Turnout gear
Puncture-proof gloves
Helmet
Eyewear

40. Wear protective equipment at rescue scenes.

41. VIOLENCE
The police are responsible for securing the scene from violence.

42. Violence Scene Dangers From: Patients Perpetrators of crimes
Bystanders
Family members

43. Indicators of Danger Crime scenes/known violence Alcohol or drug use
Prior calls or violence in area
Weapons
(Continued)

44. Indicators of Danger Hostile crowds Broken glass, bloodstains Pets
Disputes/fighting

45. Response to Danger: RETREAT
Leave the scene immediately.
Get far enough away.
Radio for police.

46. CONCEALMENT hides your body.

47. COVER hides and protects your body.

48. Body armor may offer additional protection.

49. Describe the stages of death & dying.
REVIEW
Describe the stages of death & dying.
List some possible reactions of the
patient & family.
Describe some methods for dealing
with a dying patient and his/her
family.
(Continued)

50. List situations that may cause EMS stress.
REVIEW
List situations that may cause EMS
stress.
Describe methods of dealing with
EMS stress.
(Continued)

51. What is a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)?
REVIEW
What is a critical incident stress
debriefing (CISD)?
List the types of substance isolation
equipment. Give examples of when
each should be used.
(Continued)

52. Describe ways to protect yourself in the following situations:
REVIEW
Describe ways to protect yourself in
the following situations:
HazMat
Rescue
Violence