1. PSI Personal Intervention Flashcards
Define Physical Intervention?
Use of direct/indirect force through bodily, physical or mechanical means to limit another person’s movement
Define Non-Restrictive Intervention?
Includes prompting and guiding to assist individual in walking
What is 1 benefit of Non-Restrictive Intervention?
The individual has a greater degree of freedom as they can choose to walk away from the physical intervention
What is Restrictive Intervention? What can it involve?
Use of force to limit movement of freedom of an individual. Can involve bodily contact, mechanical devices or changes to a person’s environment
Both conflict management and physical intervention have similarities. Name all 7.
Both involve:
1) dynamically risk assessing situation before, during and after PI
2) positive communication at every stage
3) team work abilities
4) words of re-assurance which can lead to de-escalation
5) be calm and approachable
6) negotiating de-escalation, using conflict management to reduce/disengage PI
7) think of a win-win situation
What are Physical Defensive Skills
Protect oneself from assault
During PI, we need to use positive verbal and non-verbal communication. Give 3 reasons why.
1) to provide instructions
2) to reassure the individual and allows you to check they understand the instructions
3) to check their well-being
When managing de-escalation and/or PI, what 2 things do we need to ensure?
1) individuals and other customers feel safe
2) environment is dynamically risk assessed for best PI
During PI other team members may be used to help. In what way?
Creating space is very important. Use other team members to enable this to take place in the most effective way
What are the 3 Secondary Controls?
1) positive and effective interpersonal communication skills
2) skills of conflict management -> reducing the need for PI
3) understanding of dynamic risk assessment and how this integrates into policy and procedures
What are primary and secondary controls?
They are controls in place which are alternatives to physical intervention
What are the 3 Primary Controls?
1) following employer safety and security procedures, working practices and risk assessments
2) use of safety and security equipment and technology, CCTV and access control
3) being positive and proactive in service delivery
How many PI lead to prosecution?
If the force used was unnecessary, excessive or unlawful
What is a Last Resort in PI?
When all other options have failed or are likely to. May not be able to withdraw from the situation.
What are 3 Legal Implications of using PI?
1) duty of care, possible civil actions for negligence
2) possibility of employer being her responsible
3) nullifying of insurance
What are 3 Professional Implications of using PI?
1) loss/suspension of SIA license
2) loss of job as a result of point 1
3) become a target of unwanted attention or possible violence
What is the “primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety? Which year was it enacted?
Health and Safety At Work Act 1974
What is the purpose of the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974?
It outlines the duties of employers to protect health, safety and welfare at work
What does Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 state?
That the employer has a duty to provide information, training instruction and supervision to its employees
Why do we need to justify our actions in PI and make sure they are in accordance with the law?
Because use of force can be categorised as assault
Which 3 circumstances allow reasonable force under Common Law?
1) defending property
2) defence of another person
3) self-defence
Which 2 circumstances allow reasonable force under the Criminal Law Act of 1967 in Section 3 Para 1?
1) in prevention of a crime
2) in effecting/assisting in the arrest o f suspected offenders or persons unlawfully at large
Under which law can Pre-emptive strikes be used?
Common Law
When may Pre-emptive Strikes be used?
To guard against an attack; can include the threat of an attack
What 3 things are IMPORTANT when using a Pre-Emptive Strike.
1) consider if the force is necessary and proportionate
2) force must be proportionate to level of force you are facing or believe to be facing
3) have to assess the risks and account for your own actions
Why must every effort be made to de-escalate a restraint? How should we de-escalate?
Because we have a duty if care for individuals
By using good communication and negotiating with the individual
Risk factors of PI involve the nature of restraint. What is the overall risk of PI and what is an important factor used?
There is that risk of injury. The length of time the technique is used is an important factor.
De-escalation may not always be achievable. What do we need to ensure in that case?
That there is no unnecessary injury or discomfort
Name some situational factors which may affect PI.
1) setting & location constraints and risks (open, confined spaces)
2) environmental hazards
3) staffing numbers
4) accessibility of help and support
5) access to medical attention (first aiders, ambulance)
6) threats presented by friends, family, partners, or people wanting to help or get involved
7) dynamic risk assessment
Name some individual factors which may affect PI.
1) age
2) size
3) weight
4) physical state (medical conditions, drugs, alcohol)
5) mental health (history of violence, prior experience of abuse/trauma)
What are the 3 vulnerable groups?
1) children & young people
2) older adults (and their possible limitations)
3) individuals with mental health issues
Which employees should receive additional training in the use of PI?
Staff working with vulnerable individuals
What else in Acute Behavioural Disturbance referred to?
Excited delirium
What are some symptoms of Psychosis?
1) hallucinations
2) delusions
3) paranoia
4) extreme fear as part of delusional beliefs
What are some psychological and physical symptoms of ABD?
1) high temperature
2) sustained mental and physical exhaustion
3) metabolic acidosis (too much acid in bodily fluids)
4) bizarre behaviour
Which techniques should be used in de-escalation with individuals with ABD or Psychosis?
Use verbal or non-verbal communication, distraction and calming techniques
Why should ABD and Psychosis be treated as a medical emergency?
As both can result in sudden death
What is Positional Asphyxia? When does it occur?
When an individual is forcefully held down either face up or face down on the floor resulting in difficulty breathing
It occurs during forceful restraint resulting in pressure/weight on torso
Which 3 restraints (that use methods that compromise breathing) carry a heightened risk to individuals?
1) ground or other surfaces e.g., bed, facing up or down
2) in seated position (bent forward)
3) in standing position (bent over, forced against a wall or object)
What is another term for Positional Asphyxia?
Restraint asphyxia
Security officers should always consider environment when applying PI. What must they also always check for?
For signs of stress or difficulty breathing
What are the 2 Key Risk Factors in PI?
Position and duration
Why is Duration a Risk Factor in forceful restraints?
The longer the duration the greater the risk of PA, the longer their exposure to risk and potential harm, includng death
Which 3 positions increase risk of PA on forceful restraints?
1) face up or face down restraint
2) on ground or other surfaces such as bed seated or standing positions
3) where breathing and/or circulation are compromised
What are 3 other risks to consider during PI?
1) impact with floor/object during fall or forceful takedown
2) injury from glass or debris on the ground
3) vulnerability to assault from others
When dealing with PI on the ground, the aim is to get the subject up ASAP but in the meantime what are 6 things you should do?
1) monitor to ensure they can breathe without difficulty
2) designate a TL to take charge of team and be responsible for safety of individual
3) TL should maintain dialogue with subject and de-escalate situation
4) in unable to communicate/monitor the subject, team member should get close to subject’s head
5) de-escalate ASAP, especially if signs of cancer of medical emergency
List the 7 types of Possible Harm which may occur during PI.
1) strikes and kicks
2) individual falling or being forced to the ground
3) interventions involving neck, spine or vital organs
4) restraints that impair breathing/circulation risking PA
5) forceful restraint can lead to medical complications, death, or permanent disability
6) stress and emotional trauma
What 2 things must we do during PI?
Continuously risk asses and be professional
What aspect of the individual must be maintained during PI, regardless of difficulty?
Their dignity
List the 8 ways of Reducing Risk of Harm.
1) choose least forceful intervention
2) avoid high risk positions including ground restraints, neck holds that adversely affect breathing
3) maintain communication between staff and subject
4) monitor well-being of subject
5) work as a team and designate a TL
6) de-escalate ASAP
7) follow established procedures
8) immediately release and provide assistance if subject complains of breathlessness or other adverse reactions
What is Dynamic Risk Assessment used for?
1) assess threat and risk of assault to staff and harm to other through a decision to use PI or not
2) evaluate options available and inform decision on whether to intervene, when and how
3) identify when assistance is needed
4) continuously monitor for risks to all parties during and following an intervention
5) inform decision to de-escalate use of force and/or withdraw
What 2 things must be done to monitor a person’s safety during PI?
1) observe risk factors (situational and individual)
2) ensure nothing impedes subject ability to breathe or their circulation
What should you do if a person is unconscious but breathing?
Place them in the recovery position
When should CPR or a defibrillator be used?
When a person shows no signs of life, they are unconscious and not breathing or breathing abnormally
What should be done if a person is breathing and conscious during PI?
Listen and act on their concerns , especially if they are struggling to breathe
What are the 12 Red Flags we need to act on during PI?
1) effort with breathing or difficulty in breathing
2) blocked airway and/or vomiting
3) passivity or reduced consciousness
4) signs of head or spinal injury
5) face swelling
6) evidence of alcohol or drug overdose
7) blueness around lips, face, or nails (signs of asphyxia)
8) high body temperature, produce sweating, hot skin
9) exhaustion
10) confusion, disorientation, and incoherence
11) hallucinations, delusions, mania, paranoia, bizzarre behaviour, extreme fear
12) high resistance and abnormal strength
What are the 5 Responsibilities of security officers during PI?
1) duty of care at all times for the subject
2) duty of care for colleagues
3) respecting the dignity of the subject
4) providing appropriate care for any injured persons
5) challenging unnecessary of excessive force used by colleagues
What should we don in a medical emergency?
Call the emergency services or a first aider, explain anything known about the subject that may aid in their treatment
In which 5 ways can we support colleagues during PI?
1) switch roles within the team where appropriate
2) monitor staff safety
3) monitor subject well-being and raise any concerns with colleagues
4) contain immediate area and manage bystanders
5) monitor situation and communicate with others e.g., staff from other agencies
What are the 7 responsibilities of security officers following PI?
1) duty of care to subject
2) duty of care to colleagues
3) providing appropriate care to anyone injured
4) briefing emergency services
5) preserving evidence and securing witness testimony
6) all staff involved must complete individual report of incident
7) MUST keep up to date in PI skills and knowledge!
Why is CPD important?
It safeguards the public, employer and supports ups killing of security officers
Who was ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) created by?
Counter terrorism and security experts
ACT has recently been made available to those who want to train. Who was it only available for in the past?
Staff working in crowded areas e.g., shopping centres or event venues
What does ACT Awareness provide?
Nationally recognised counter terrorism guidance to help better understand and mitigate against current terrorist methodologies
Why is it important to maintain skills and knowledge in PI?
As laws are continuously changing and PI skills can decrease. This could reduce effectiveness of PI and lead to increased risk to public
