Pre-reading

How to Protect Yourself from Incident Stress

Remember that strong emotions are NORMAL reactions to abnormal situations!

• • Take care of yourself: Stay focused on hazards at the incident site and keep vigilant about your safety.
  • Don’t expect too much of yourself, do what you can as well as you can.
  • Approach the site calmly, do not run, take deep calming breaths as needed.
  • Always aim to work as a team with other first aiders and emergency personnel.
  • Step back as soon as you can, let others take over the care when appropriate.
  • Get professional help: speak to emergency personnel at the time of the incident, seek support from medical professionals and/or contact support agencies like Life Line 13 11 14.

Once at home and over time, your impressions and understanding of your experience will change; this is different   for everyone. If, after several weeks you are experiencing signs and/or symptom of Traumatic Incident Stress, obtain professional help.