1. The Well-being
of the EMT-Basic
CHAPTER 2 1

2. Emotional Aspects of Emergency Care
Death and Dying 1

3. How People Face Death Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross 1

4. KINDNESS, COMPASSION & UNDERSTANDING...1

5. …may help the patient and family members cope with their emotions.1

6. Stressful Situations 1

7. EMS IS A STRESSFUL PROFESSION!1

8. Multiple-patient incidents can be particularly stressful.11

9. Stressful Situations Mass-casualty incident Infant and child trauma
Traumatic amputation
Death or injury of co-worker or other public safety personnel
Emergency response to illness or injury of friend or family member 1

10. Stress Management 1

11. Stress:
A bodily or mental tension caused by physical, chemical, or emotional factors.
Also involves a person’s response to events that are threatening or challenging. 1

12. Stress Warning Signs
Irritability with co-workers, family, friends or patients
Inability to concentrate
Physical exhaustion
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Anxiety
Indecisiveness
Guilt 1

13. Stress Warning Signs continued
Loss of appetite
Loss of interest in sex
Isolation
Loss of interest in work
Increased substance use or abuse (alcohol, medications, illegal drugs)
Depression 1

14. Not all stress is negative...
...but too much can affect your health! 1

15. STRESS REDUCTION TECHNIQUES
Eat
Healthy
Get Professional Counseling
Stop Smoking
STRESS REDUCTION TECHNIQUES
Change Work Schedule
Exercise
Regularly
Rest & Relax
Balance Activities 1

16. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)1

17. Critical incident:
A situation causing unusually strong emotional reactions which interfere with one’s ability to function immediately or in the future. 1

18. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
A serious condition involving illness, personality changes, and self-destructive behavior.
Occurs after being exposed to a critical incident or disturbing event. 1

19. Criteria for Holding a CISD
Many individuals within a group appear to be distressed after a call
Signals of distress appear to be severe
Personnel demonstrate numerous behavioral changes
Personnel make significant errors on calls occurring after the critical incident 1

20. Criteria for Holding a CISD continued
Personnel request help
The event is extraordinary
Various agencies are showing the same reactions
Signals of distress continue beyond three weeks 1

21. CISD helps people work through their emotional responses more quickly than they could on their own.1

22. CISD Process Team approach Peer support personnel
Mental health professionals
Clergy
Confidential process
NOT an investigation or interrogation 1

23. CISD Process continued
Designed to open discussions about feelings, fears and reactions to the incident
Team evaluates comments and provides feedback and suggestions 1

24. Comprehensive Critical Incident Stress Management1

25. System for Managing PTSD
Preincident stress education
On-scene peer support
One-on-one support
Disaster support services
Defusing 1

26. System for Managing PTSD continued
Critical incident stress debriefings
Follow-up services
Spouse and family support
Outreach programs
Other health and wellness programs 1

27. Scene Safety 1

28. Common Scene Safety Issues
Traffic
Crime scene
Hostile crowds
Hazardous materials
Dogs 1

29. Scene Safety
EMTs who become injured cannot help anyone else! 10

30. Body Substance Isolation Precautions1

31. Body Substance Isolation (BSI) precautions are designed to prevent contact with potentially harmful body substances. 1

32. Hand
Washing 1

33. Gloves 1

34. Eye Protection, Gowns and Masks1

35. HEPA Respirator
Use when you suspect the
patient has tuberculosis. 10

36. It is important that EMS personnel understand their rights, responsibilities and procedures for reporting exposures. 1

37. Advance Safety Precautions1

38. Recommended Immunizations
Tetanus prophylaxis (every 10 years)
Hepatitis B vaccine
Influenza vaccine (annually)
Polio immunization
Rubella, mumps & measles vaccine
Tuberculin testing (annually) 1

39. Personal Protection 1

40. Hazardous material:
A substance that poses a threat or unreasonable risk to life, health or property if not properly controlled.
Crews not trained or equipped to handle a situation should let the experts do it! 1

41. Placards are displayed on hazardous materials containers.11

42. Protective Clothing for HazMat10

43. Protective Clothing for Rescue
Puncture-proof or resistant turnout gear
Puncture-proof gloves
Helmet
Ear protection and chin strap
Eye protection
Boots with steel toes & insoles 1

44. Protective Clothing for Rescue Situations1

45. EMS personnel should NOT ENTER a VIOLENT SCENE until on-scene police officers have determined it to be safe! 1

46. EMS personnel should not intervene in violent situations.1

47. SUMMARY Emotional Aspects of Emergency Care Scene Safety
Personal Protection
SUMMARY 1