Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To reduce panic and rage
To allow ventilation of feelings and to accept them
To give realistic, honest answers balanced with judicious omissions
Tobeawareofthespecialneedsduetotheperson'ssexwhenimmobilizedanddepend-
ent (as on a litter)
To restore a feeling of well-being with food and water, warmth, attention to injuries,
physical restraint when necessary, analgesia when indicated, and comfort and support
through listening and touching
To restore a sense of hope and of belonging through quiet, firm, and knowledgeable
leadership with clearly understood goals and sensitivity to the needs of injured or ill in-
dividuals and their rescuers
To maintain awareness that supposedly unconscious individuals often hear some of
what is said around them People's self-esteem and sense of mastery are also based on
their judgment of how well they respond to problem situations. Success heightens self-
esteem; failure lowers it. The rescuer must constantly seek ways to help persons in-
volved in an accident preserve their dignity, particularly by helping in the rescue op-
eration. Participation is essential for restoring and preserving self-esteem and a sense
of mastery and control and for minimizing psychic trauma, guilt reactions, and delayed
stressreactions.Rescueleadersmustbeawareofthisneedanddoalltheycantoensure
it is met.
Some attitudes or actions rescue leaders and counselors must try to avoid are these:
Callousness or flippancy (the “M*A*S*H syndrome”)
Lying to provide unrealistic optimism and reassurance
Talking
around
a person without talking
to
the person
Telling the person how to feel or imposing ideas; not really listening (authoritarian
style)
Expecting a person to function at top level too quickly
Expecting too little of a person, damaging chances to salvage self-esteem
Oversolicitousness that interferes with a person's recovery of self-esteem (“chicken
soup” style)
“Democratic” leader(less)ship; floundering by committee, with no definitive leader,
goals, plans for achieving them, or communication within the party
Case Study:
Injured Person's Responses
Some insights into the psychology of individuals involved in accidents and helpful re-
commendations for rescuers were made by Ray Smutek, editor of
Off Belay
, in his account
of his own mountaineering accident and rescue. When describing his fall he recalls “ac-
celerated mental activity, the detached over-view of the situation, the recollection of past
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