1. Critical Incident Stress Management

2. Definition A normal reaction, by normal people, to an abnormal event
When you become an Instructor, you begin to also take on the role of a leader.
In times of stress, you may need to take on the responsibility of watching for signs of possible signs of reactions to situations that may need discussion or debriefing of situations.
You may also find that other instructors or patrollers may seek you out as a sounding board for how they are dealing with a situation.

3. Critical incident
Any situation beyond the realm of a person’s usual experience that overwhelms the person’s vulnerability
A situation which causes an individual to experience an unusually strong reaction that interferes with their ability to function normally

4. Signs and symptoms Immediately after: Cannot ‘regroup’ or let go
Must ‘get back out there’/in denial/’No Big Deal - I’m Okay, but...’
Continually re-analyzing incident/roles
Or nothing immediately!
Facts about Post-Traumatic Stress:
Trauma can cause post-incident symptoms in anyone
Intrusive imagery, numbness, rage, grief are NORMAL
Symptoms can be experienced years afterwards
It is normal to fear losing control
Affected people are responsive to counseling

5. Signs and symptoms Long term: Flashbacks/nightmares
Feeling burned out/irritable/angry
Crying/grief/sorrow/guilt
Interest/sleep/memory disturbances/chest pains/headaches
Increased use of alcohol/tobacco/drugs
Some signs and symptoms may never go away.

6. Interventions CONFIDENTIAL!!! One-on-One Defusing Debriefing Follow-up
one-on-one at the scene or immediately thereafter
mini-debriefing or defusing (individual or small group) within 8 hours
formal debriefing hours after the incident
follow-up
debriefing for special groups - work groups, spouses, family members
CONFIDENTIAL:
Everything that is stated in any type of intervention is confidential.
Trained CISM people are there:
to assist patrollers in recognizing the emotional, cognitive, and physical reactions to a critical incident
to help patrollers work through these reactions and feelings
to mitigate/lessen the effects of unresolved stress
to accelerate recovery
CONFIDENTIAL!!!

7. CISM A structured approach consisting of 2 main parts:
Defusing
Debriefing
Both are NOT always necessary
Sometimes, further treatment by mental health professionals is required

8. CISM
Critical Incident Stress Management is critical to the well-being and health of our CSP team
Please do not hesitate to use it!
Local contacts
Who
How to initiate