Training for crisis situations as a civilian
October 5, 2021 10:19 PM Subscribe
In a crisis, some people freeze, some people stay calm and are able to issue instructions, and some are able to just follow instructions. What sorts of generalized training/practice is there for a non-first responder/member of the military to gain that skills in being one of the ones who retains their full reason and mental capacities? (CW: suicide attempt description in the expanded section)
I was reading this reddit post about a guy witnessing someone (presumably) attempt to kill themselves via the NYC subway, only to be rescued by a bunch of bystanders. The writer was not part of the rescue effort, they kind of froze. I found myself wondering how I'd act and what I could do to make myself someone who could act.
I know for specific emergencies the best thing is drills. It's why we have fire drills, so that people can stay calm and act on memory. I want techniques/training/etc. for keeping my head and cool in any and all emergencies. Or at least more than just training for one. I've read about "mental toughness" and did some googling about fighting the freeze response part of the flight/fight system, but I couldn't find anything about learning to stay calm and collected in an emergency.
What sorts of exercises/training/etc. exist to test this out and train a person to keep their head when shit goes wrong?
I was reading this reddit post about a guy witnessing someone (presumably) attempt to kill themselves via the NYC subway, only to be rescued by a bunch of bystanders. The writer was not part of the rescue effort, they kind of froze. I found myself wondering how I'd act and what I could do to make myself someone who could act.
I know for specific emergencies the best thing is drills. It's why we have fire drills, so that people can stay calm and act on memory. I want techniques/training/etc. for keeping my head and cool in any and all emergencies. Or at least more than just training for one. I've read about "mental toughness" and did some googling about fighting the freeze response part of the flight/fight system, but I couldn't find anything about learning to stay calm and collected in an emergency.
What sorts of exercises/training/etc. exist to test this out and train a person to keep their head when shit goes wrong?
The term you probably want to search for is “preparedness training”. Ready.gov has a bunch of links and guides for specific disaster situations and can point you to resources for training courses. The American Red Cross has a bunch of classes for individuals as well, including an online course. You’re right that drills are what they are because they work in specific situations - preparedness is just drills for more varied emergencies. You also get a lot of this kind of thing from self defense classes where an instructor practices different scenarios with their students until their muscle memory can kick in, including techniques for diffusing situations nonviolently.
posted by Mizu at 11:18 PM on October 5, 2021
posted by Mizu at 11:18 PM on October 5, 2021
Freezing up is a pretty natural response when there is a critical situation, combined with uncertainty about the best course. It takes practice to replace the freeze habit with the habit of quickly evaluating possible actions and picking one that seems the most effective and safe.
I second what Rhiannonstone wrote about CPR, first aid and C.E.R.T. courses. Also consider taking an EMT course. It's a much longer course, but the EMT class I wandered into (more-or-less accidentally) changed the whole way I think.
A good EMT instructor will fill the course with simulated emergencies for students to manage, starting small with a situation that has a single, obvious solution, building toward more and more complex scenarios that require students to assess a scene, then a patient, and take action based on what they perceive.
For many, the habit of internally asking "What is safe to do? What will help this situation?" will carry over from first aid scenarios to other kinds of critical situation.
Check to see if a nearby college has an EMT course. Or call your local ambulance service or rescue squad to ask where training is available.
posted by wjm at 11:59 PM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
I second what Rhiannonstone wrote about CPR, first aid and C.E.R.T. courses. Also consider taking an EMT course. It's a much longer course, but the EMT class I wandered into (more-or-less accidentally) changed the whole way I think.
A good EMT instructor will fill the course with simulated emergencies for students to manage, starting small with a situation that has a single, obvious solution, building toward more and more complex scenarios that require students to assess a scene, then a patient, and take action based on what they perceive.
For many, the habit of internally asking "What is safe to do? What will help this situation?" will carry over from first aid scenarios to other kinds of critical situation.
Check to see if a nearby college has an EMT course. Or call your local ambulance service or rescue squad to ask where training is available.
posted by wjm at 11:59 PM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
I have some NZ Rural Fire training (it's a voluntary system here) which I've found very useful, so this or ambulance training is very helpful. And yep, practice. We also have volunteer Mountain Rescue which covers many, many bases - all of the above can lead to a professional pathway.
Developing situational awareness is highly worthwhile, as it helps you both see when something is going to kickoff/go south, but also to see through the clutter, see who needs help, where things are that you need etc. Mine's from study and travel and jobs where I was just expected to solve problems and they didn't care how I achieved that.
Being fit enough to respond is also vital.
posted by unearthed at 12:02 AM on October 6, 2021
Developing situational awareness is highly worthwhile, as it helps you both see when something is going to kickoff/go south, but also to see through the clutter, see who needs help, where things are that you need etc. Mine's from study and travel and jobs where I was just expected to solve problems and they didn't care how I achieved that.
Being fit enough to respond is also vital.
posted by unearthed at 12:02 AM on October 6, 2021
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/bystander-effect
Look for “overcoming the bystander effect”
I’ve intervened a few times, and kept my cool in some crises where I might have been a victim (eg car accident). I’m not a first responder, I just grew up having to pay attention to stuff. Why I thought I was competent to help in those situations, ie actually be useful vs making a hash of things, I’m not actually sure. I *guess* my basically anxious nature inclined me to also pay attention to probably any PSAs. (Thinking back, yes this is true, eg first thing I’d do when flying was study the safety pamphlet, lol.) In a way, crises organized my responses and let my freaky anxiety flag fly? If this could happen, I would say paying attention in general (do things look right, does that person look ok) and getting specific training MUST help.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:37 AM on October 6, 2021
Look for “overcoming the bystander effect”
I’ve intervened a few times, and kept my cool in some crises where I might have been a victim (eg car accident). I’m not a first responder, I just grew up having to pay attention to stuff. Why I thought I was competent to help in those situations, ie actually be useful vs making a hash of things, I’m not actually sure. I *guess* my basically anxious nature inclined me to also pay attention to probably any PSAs. (Thinking back, yes this is true, eg first thing I’d do when flying was study the safety pamphlet, lol.) In a way, crises organized my responses and let my freaky anxiety flag fly? If this could happen, I would say paying attention in general (do things look right, does that person look ok) and getting specific training MUST help.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:37 AM on October 6, 2021
To quote GI Joe, "Knowing is half the battle."
If you know what to do in that situation (usually that means you have received some sort of training, or you pick up misc knowledge like a sponge), you would know how to react when you see that situation for real.
Just as a random example, I have watched enough First Responder shows to know if you suspect a neck injury, you're not supposed to move the patient (fear of "internal decapitation", i.e. broken neck), and the only thing that should override that is if the patient is in imminent danger, like the spot the patient is at is unsafe. (It's really weird that some so-called medical professionals don't know this, but that's a different story)
I can't guarantee that I would be able to rescue someone with a neck injury, but I may be able to stop someone from causing more damage.
Receiving professional training would definitely help. Not only do they require a lot of practice, but the practice also creates new neural pathways, resulting in conditioned responses that can be readily called upon. That is sometimes called "muscle memory".
A bit like Mr. Miyagi telling Daniel to keep doing "Paint the fence"... :)
posted by kschang at 1:39 AM on October 6, 2021
If you know what to do in that situation (usually that means you have received some sort of training, or you pick up misc knowledge like a sponge), you would know how to react when you see that situation for real.
Just as a random example, I have watched enough First Responder shows to know if you suspect a neck injury, you're not supposed to move the patient (fear of "internal decapitation", i.e. broken neck), and the only thing that should override that is if the patient is in imminent danger, like the spot the patient is at is unsafe. (It's really weird that some so-called medical professionals don't know this, but that's a different story)
I can't guarantee that I would be able to rescue someone with a neck injury, but I may be able to stop someone from causing more damage.
Receiving professional training would definitely help. Not only do they require a lot of practice, but the practice also creates new neural pathways, resulting in conditioned responses that can be readily called upon. That is sometimes called "muscle memory".
A bit like Mr. Miyagi telling Daniel to keep doing "Paint the fence"... :)
posted by kschang at 1:39 AM on October 6, 2021
First aid is one and I’ve taken a mental health first aid course as well.
For me martial arts training has moved the needle on my tendency to freeze. I think it’s the practice of responding to someone else’s unpredictable movements.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:03 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
For me martial arts training has moved the needle on my tendency to freeze. I think it’s the practice of responding to someone else’s unpredictable movements.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:03 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
Everyone I know who has performed well in an emergency has had some crisis training. Not necessarily training in the specific crisis they faced, but training that included evaluating the situation and making choices.
If I were trying to do what you’re trying to do I would seek out training for multiple different crises. Which would be a good thing anyway, because better than being able to think would be being able to actually help.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:25 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
If I were trying to do what you’re trying to do I would seek out training for multiple different crises. Which would be a good thing anyway, because better than being able to think would be being able to actually help.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:25 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
I'm terrible in the situation where I'm the victim or the one that has caused catastrophe, but otherwise tend to remain calm under pressure. Alongside the training suggested which will help you make the right kinds of decisions, you might want to flex your leadership and decision making skills on a regular basis. I have done a reasonable amount of volunteer work in the past which has helped me with this as does my desk-based job with its occasional non-life threatening crises.
posted by plonkee at 5:47 AM on October 6, 2021
posted by plonkee at 5:47 AM on October 6, 2021
It's possible to react in different ways to different types of crisis. I am (I hope, I've been told) good in a crisis, but it's got to be a crisis that involves other people or animals who have a need that I can fill. If it's a problem that affects me and only me? A paperwork crisis? Not great.
If it's the first kind of crisis, I think -- sometimes not even consciously -- what would a [blank] do? Where [blank] is "good person" or "doctor" or whatever would be best. Then pretend you're that person -- not to fake knowledge, I stress, but to be cool-headed about what you do know. The thing is that, in a crisis, people want to be told what to do. That includes me; I would much rather. But if no one else is there, you have to be the authority, even just to be the person who calls the actual authority.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:55 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
If it's the first kind of crisis, I think -- sometimes not even consciously -- what would a [blank] do? Where [blank] is "good person" or "doctor" or whatever would be best. Then pretend you're that person -- not to fake knowledge, I stress, but to be cool-headed about what you do know. The thing is that, in a crisis, people want to be told what to do. That includes me; I would much rather. But if no one else is there, you have to be the authority, even just to be the person who calls the actual authority.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:55 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
Hollaback provides free bystander intervention training. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but is a great way to understand how people react to situations and how to choose different ways to respond.
posted by wicked_sassy at 6:14 AM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by wicked_sassy at 6:14 AM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
I second mental health first aid. It is not instinctive. Usually, in a crisis, we want to do something. But in a mental health crisis, instead of moving, you need to talk, while expressing calm and compassion.
posted by NotLost at 6:27 AM on October 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by NotLost at 6:27 AM on October 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
There's an organization that offers training for all sorts of harassment and it's really good. It's called Hollaback (https://www.ihollaback.org). I did specifically the bystander intervention training for Anti-Asian harassment, and feel a lot more confident in terms of how to intervene (and learned that the way I intervened before was OK but not ideal). The workshops are free, live, online (over Zoom) and really empowering.
edit: jinx :)
posted by plant or animal at 6:31 AM on October 6, 2021
edit: jinx :)
posted by plant or animal at 6:31 AM on October 6, 2021
You should contact your Red Cross or Red Crescent and ask them.
Keep in mind that freezing is not always bad response. It's the brakes your brain puts on you when you need to figure out what to do and stops you from leaping off the platform without first figuring out which one is the electrified third rail, or keeps you from rushing in to grab the person at risk when someone else with better reflexes, or who looks less threatening would be a better choice. When you freeze time appears to be passing faster than it is. You can interpret a seventeen second freeze as being two and a half minutes.
One of the things that crisis training teaches you is NOT to rush forward when there is a risk of electrocution, or knocking someone off the platform, or being pulled under by a drowning person. First figure out what is going on and what you can safely do, and if there is anything you can do that will help is a very basic survival skill. You were probably left with a huge spike of emergency energy and no way to dissipate it, and feel an urgent need to so something to discharge it. But in fact you did what you needed to do, which was not get in the way, but stay on alert in case the whole bunch of people went over. You were remaining available to make a 911 call, or to help people who weren't electrocuted get back onto the platform, if things had gone terribly wrong.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:39 AM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
Keep in mind that freezing is not always bad response. It's the brakes your brain puts on you when you need to figure out what to do and stops you from leaping off the platform without first figuring out which one is the electrified third rail, or keeps you from rushing in to grab the person at risk when someone else with better reflexes, or who looks less threatening would be a better choice. When you freeze time appears to be passing faster than it is. You can interpret a seventeen second freeze as being two and a half minutes.
One of the things that crisis training teaches you is NOT to rush forward when there is a risk of electrocution, or knocking someone off the platform, or being pulled under by a drowning person. First figure out what is going on and what you can safely do, and if there is anything you can do that will help is a very basic survival skill. You were probably left with a huge spike of emergency energy and no way to dissipate it, and feel an urgent need to so something to discharge it. But in fact you did what you needed to do, which was not get in the way, but stay on alert in case the whole bunch of people went over. You were remaining available to make a 911 call, or to help people who weren't electrocuted get back onto the platform, if things had gone terribly wrong.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:39 AM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
For me martial arts training has moved the needle on my tendency to freeze
For me martial arts is where I first heard the phrase “In a crisis you will perform down to the level of your training.”
It’s a warning that when your adrenaline is up and your fight, freeze, or flight reflex is in full swing you should not be expecting yourself to be creative and flexible. It might happen, but it’s far more likely that you will fall back on specific training that you have.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:01 AM on October 6, 2021
For me martial arts is where I first heard the phrase “In a crisis you will perform down to the level of your training.”
It’s a warning that when your adrenaline is up and your fight, freeze, or flight reflex is in full swing you should not be expecting yourself to be creative and flexible. It might happen, but it’s far more likely that you will fall back on specific training that you have.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:01 AM on October 6, 2021
The idea that "shit goes wrong" is the first thing to address. It sends your brain into a tailspin of mental dissonance, panic, and ineffectiveness.
Long term martial arts training, mindfulness training, and improv of some sort (theater, but also playing in a band, etc.) can help you defeat this thought in lower stakes situations. Shit doesn't go wrong. Things happen. "Mistakes" are raw material to work with.
If you can interrupt your brain's tendency to identify these as "wrong" you can turn the thought into: "X is happening. What can my response be?"
posted by cocoagirl at 7:06 AM on October 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
Long term martial arts training, mindfulness training, and improv of some sort (theater, but also playing in a band, etc.) can help you defeat this thought in lower stakes situations. Shit doesn't go wrong. Things happen. "Mistakes" are raw material to work with.
If you can interrupt your brain's tendency to identify these as "wrong" you can turn the thought into: "X is happening. What can my response be?"
posted by cocoagirl at 7:06 AM on October 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
Self defense or martial arts training has the benefit not only of making you more physically safe, but it trains your brain to quickly go into the recognize-respond cycle. Even if you are practicing in a safe environment with trainers/partners that aren't trying to hurt you, if you are training with a good person/team then you will get mildly hit/kicked/thrown/etc. The body is really good at quickly reacting to physical, especially painful, stimuli - think about touching a hot stove, how fast does it take you to pull your hand away from that? Self defense training gets your brain into that "act or pain/negative outcome" mode and it becomes easier to drop into that in emergency situations, even if the "pain" isn't directed at you.
Plus, everyone should know how to defend themselves - I know it's not the most rosy world view, but I'd rather know than be caught off-guard and wish I did.
+1 as well for first aid training if you don't feel confident in that area. With a basic amount of training, most people can become proficient enough to recognize and address major serious injuries, at least to the point of keeping someone safe until medical personnel arrive.
posted by _DB_ at 7:14 AM on October 6, 2021
Plus, everyone should know how to defend themselves - I know it's not the most rosy world view, but I'd rather know than be caught off-guard and wish I did.
+1 as well for first aid training if you don't feel confident in that area. With a basic amount of training, most people can become proficient enough to recognize and address major serious injuries, at least to the point of keeping someone safe until medical personnel arrive.
posted by _DB_ at 7:14 AM on October 6, 2021
Not quite what you're asking for, but I found this book The Unthinkable to be a really fascinating study into the kinds of people and strategies that are more likely to survive in disasters.
posted by Mchelly at 8:58 AM on October 6, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 8:58 AM on October 6, 2021 [5 favorites]
Ages ago I had to have the second-level of CPR training (at the time it was "BLS" or "CPR for the Professional Rescuer", I think) for the time for my weekend job/hobby of whitewater raft guiding. At the time I thought "why are we drilling on these numbers? Who TF cares if it's 14 or 16 compressions?" I also observed that the Red Cross First Aid class seemed largely focused on keeping the rescuer calm until qualified help arrived.
Then I was involved in an automobile collision in which I was the first person to reach a toddler, and when I got to the toddler I couldn't find breathing or a pulse. And the only thing running through my head was the breaths to compressions ratios that were recommended at that time (and, yes, the kid survived).
So part of drilling is that even when it feels stupid, drill.
posted by straw at 9:22 AM on October 6, 2021 [7 favorites]
Then I was involved in an automobile collision in which I was the first person to reach a toddler, and when I got to the toddler I couldn't find breathing or a pulse. And the only thing running through my head was the breaths to compressions ratios that were recommended at that time (and, yes, the kid survived).
So part of drilling is that even when it feels stupid, drill.
posted by straw at 9:22 AM on October 6, 2021 [7 favorites]
I think sports in general is good for this if you are disinterested specifically in hand to hand combat type training like karate. I've also heard "stop, breathe - count to 10 seconds" as appropriate response - if no one else has taken over by 10, you are first in charge.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:37 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:37 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also - focus on paying attention to the world around you. I've rescued 4 children from drowning just by paying attention. Identifying that someone is in trouble is at least as important as knowing exactly what to do to fix their problem.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:39 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:39 AM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
Honestly even just practicing identifying a specific person and shouting "You! Call 911 now!" (which is part of most first aid/CPR courses) is a huge level-up over no practice at all.
Just wanted to see that again.
posted by mediareport at 1:05 PM on October 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
Just wanted to see that again.
posted by mediareport at 1:05 PM on October 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
I have found that the more useful I know I can be in a crisis or emergency situation, the better and more able I am to react in those situations. I'm not a particularly "take charge" person by nature (more of a "stay the f—k in your lane" type), but knowing that you know what to do makes it easier to trust yourself, not freeze, and do what needs doing in a particular situation.
The training I'd recommend looking at, in rough order of utility as a modern, urban or suburban-dwelling person, would be:
posted by Kadin2048 at 5:24 PM on October 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
The training I'd recommend looking at, in rough order of utility as a modern, urban or suburban-dwelling person, would be:
- CPR/AED Training. I'm not sure if the most-basic level of CPR training teaches you how to use an AED, but I would take whatever introductory course that does. There is a lot of evidence that AEDs improve cardiac outcomes, particularly in young people. And once you take the training, you'll start to notice AEDs at places you visit. And being able to use an AED and do effective CPR is one of the most useful skills you can have as a civilian. Both Red Cross and American Heart Association CPR/AED courses are good; I wouldn't pay money for training that didn't adhere to one or the other of those two standards.
- FEMA CERT. This is sort of the most basic emergency response training, basically teaching you enough to be helpful in the wake of a significant manmade or natural disaster. You can see the curriculum here (PDF), it includes basic/lifesaving first aid and light urban search-and-rescue. In most places you get a cool (okay, arguable) reflector vest and hardhat.
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification. This has replaced the "First Responder" training level in many states. It's the bottom rung on the ladder of EMS certifications and involves basic lifesaving first aid and pre-transport stabilization of a patient. In some places you can volunteer with a local fire department or rescue squad as an EMR.
- EMT Basic certification Becoming an EMT in most states requires taking a 120-hour course with a field internship; the difficulty is about that of an undergrad science course (IMO). Maintaining the certification requires ongoing affiliation with an EMS agency and a significant number of Continuing Education hours per year, or a weeklong (approx) "refresher" course every few years. It's not something I would do casually; it's a significant ongoing time commitment to maintain, and the training really presupposes that you'll be using it regularly in the field. (FWIW, it's also a marketable skill if you ever need a side hustle and don't mind getting puked on for $13-15/hr.)
posted by Kadin2048 at 5:24 PM on October 7, 2021 [3 favorites]
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Because in my experience, most people freeze either because they don't know what to do or because they know what to do but aren't confident enough in that knowledge to actually do it. And practicing first aid, CPR, disaster triage, etc. not only gives you a list of options for what to do when you see a situation like this and helps you build your confidence in your own knowledge, it helps train you how to make split-second decisions in general.
Honestly even just practicing identifying a specific person and shouting "You! Call 911 now!" (which is part of most first aid/CPR courses) is a huge level-up over no practice at all.
Most cities have a volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that trains volunteers for free in disaster response extensively (usually several half-days or a couple full weekends). You can also find first aid/CPR classes open to everyday folks just about everywhere.
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:33 PM on October 5, 2021 [24 favorites]