Cope Up with Stress After a Medical Emergency
Medical Emergency Situation

Last Updated On: October 17, 2024

Managing Stress in the Aftermath of a Medical Emergency

As a first-time responder to an emergency, it is vital for you to know the skills of handling emergency situation. Here are a few vital things to know. As the first responder, you will be required to respond at a faster rate to an accident. You will be the first one on the scene. You will be required to carry out the right life-saving steps to save the victims from any danger. The first time responders will be needed to make decisions between life and death. This can cause a rise in stress levels once the accident is over. Even though they get online CPR first aid certification, they might not have enough skills to handle stress after the occurrence of an emergency.
Stress is caused due to the response of the body to different changes. It is just a normal reaction that will take place within the body and it can have many effects on your performance. In its small doses, stress can make you always feel motivated when carrying out daily activities. When in excess, it can cause fatigue and headache. There are also a number of physical and emotional symptoms associated with stress.

Coping Up with Stress Before an Emergency

Being prepared for any emergency will place you in a position of becoming successful. CPR training will help you learn how to handle an emergency situation without causing any harm to your emotional health. The training will provide you with the necessary skills you need to successfully handle an emergency situation.
To avoid any stress as the first responder, make sure you take your time to learn about the incident before administering any help. After obtaining the information, it will become easier for you to determine what you are supposed to carry out in such a situation.

Coping with Stress During the Emergency Situation

When the first time responders work together with the emergency team, they can easily resolve the situation at hand. They will also limit the possibility of burn out during the first-aid procedure. Burnout is one of the causes of stress during an emergency.
If the first time responder notices any signs of burn out, it is important that they keep off the emergency and find a certain place where they can rest. It will also help them to refocus on themselves and come back to offer emergency services in the right way.

Coping Up with Stress After the Emergency

Good first responders will do all they can to respond appropriately to any emergency situation. They will also strive at all times for continuous improvement. As they struggle to provide the best service and increase in the stress level can happen.
In such a situation, they need to come up with appropriate ways of responding to the case. It is also essential for you to make sure you have received adequate sleep and limit the intake of caffeine.
As an individual, you need to get online CPR first aid certification to learn other skills of handling emergencies in the right way. American CPR Care Association offers online and blended CPR courses.
As a first-time responder to an emergency, it is vital for you to know the skills of handling emergency situations. In this post, we will cover some other items to be aware of to help yourself cope in the aftermath.
It is important to remember that, as the rescuer, you will be required to respond at a faster rate to an accident. You will likely be the first one at the scene and may be required to carry out the right life-saving steps to save the victims from any danger, possibly alone.
First-time rescuers will be needed to make decisions with life and death consequences with no prior real-life experience. This can cause a rise in stress levels once the accident is over. Even though equipped to handle emergency situations thanks to their online CPR first aid certification, they might not have the skills to handle stress after the occurrence of an emergency.
Stress is a normal reaction that will take place within the body and it can have many effects on your performance, due to a number of physical and emotional symptoms associated with stress.

Coping Up with Stress Before an Emergency

Being prepared for any emergency will set you up for success in navigating whatever comes your way. CPR certification will provide you with the skills you need to successfully handle an emergency situation, and grant you a sense of confidence and a reassuring calm under pressure as you already know how to respond and take control. Further, becoming certified will help prepare you to handle an emergency situation without causing any harm to your emotional health. 
To avoid additional stress as the first responder, make sure you make yourself aware of all aspects of the incident before administering any help, both to prioritize care and to be sure you are taking appropriate action commensurate to your and other responders’ level of certification. Being aware of your physical surroundings and what bystanders are actively engaging in the rescue effort will make things even easier for you to determine how to respond and what actions to carry out.

Coping with Stress During the Emergency Situation

When rescuers work together with the emergency team, they can easily resolve the situation at hand. Working together will also limit the possibility of exhaustion during CPR, allowing rescuers to take turns administering compressions and rescue breaths.  Taking breaks, staying hydrated, and using a buddy system can reduce stress at the moment and reduce the risk of burnout or secondary traumatic stress

Coping Up with Stress After the Emergency

Emergency situations are stressful, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. That stress can linger in first responders long after they’ve left the scene and can be incredibly challenging to deal with. In many situations, Critical Incident Stress Debriefings are the best option for processing major stresses related to emergency response. However, these are formal settings and offered in tinned sessions, and therefore can’t be relied on as a daily coping tool. 
For day to day stress management, recommendations for rescuers align closely with standard recommendations for the general public; limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, eating healthy, exercising regularly (especially relaxation exercises like yoga, tai chi, meditation and breath control) and staying active, and especially helpful habits like ensuring you get enough sleep and keeping a journal to track your moods and feelings following an emergency situation can be great stress relievers.

Conclusion

As an individual, you need to get online CPR first aid certification to learn other skills of handling emergencies in the right way. American CPR Care Association offers online and blended CPR courses.