Exam Flashcards
What percentage of adults have encountered a traumatic event?
70%
Of the 70% of adults that have encountered a traumatic event, how many of these develop PTSD?
20%
How much more likely are emergency services personnel to develop PTSD?
3 times
Ontario’s 2016 First Responder’s Act
Recognizes the risks to first responders of mental health, which are inherent risks to their profession. These legal changes also help to change the culture and reduce stigma.
Examples of external stressors
Dealing with the public, being judged on social media, undergoing formal investigations by special units
Examples of internal stressors
Supervisors & colleagues, bureaucracy, policies, unpredictable schedules causing absences during important events/celebrations
Examples of personal or unique stressors
Specific to an individual - family situations, finances, illness
What is a critical incident?
A severe event that can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope and disrupts normal functions
Symptoms of cumulative stress
Physical, emotional, relation, behavioural, mental
Physical symptoms of cumulative stress
Fatigue, headache, stomach ache, sleep problems, changes in appetite
Emotional symptoms of cumulative stress
Anxiety, frustration, guilt, moodiness, irritability, apathy, depression, loss or increase in sensitivity
Mental symptoms of cumulative stress
Lack of concentration, loss of creativity and motivation, forgetfulness, negativity, paranoid thoughts
Behavioural symptoms of cumulative stress
Increased consumption of drugs and alcohol, changes in eating habits, increased behaviours, cynical attitude
Relational symptoms of cumulative stress
Feelings of bitterness, loneliness, problems interacting with others, social withdrawal, antisocial behaviour
What is included in an effective resilience plan?
Respect for mental/physical limits, enjoyable activities, regularity of activities, interesting activities, promoting positive relationships, high level or trust and conviction, good sleep habits
What should be the first weapon for all first responders? (mental health)
Developing risilience
Wellness
Integration of body, mind, and spirit to produce a balances lifestyle. Promotes a sense of becoming, changing, improving, and growing.
How is wellness achieved?
By practicing good health habits and eliminating harmful ones
What is the primary goal of crisis intervention?
To stabilize and defuse to protect individuals from increased and/or prolonged distress
Five components of crisis intervention
Simplicity in exchanges, short exchanges, immediate initial contact, practical suggestions, direct and clear communication
Simplicity in exchanges
Approach the person by maintaining a simple and clear discussion
Short exchanges
Check in to ensure a continuous assessment of the individual’s functioning
Immediate initial contact
First contact should occur before the end of the shift during which the incident occurred
Practical suggestions
Share positive strategies to take good care of yourself
Direct and clear communication
Ask the difficult questions and the details to determine the degree of severity and whether immediate intervention is needed
When do recovery and evidence collection start?
When rescue operations are complete
What are the primary goals of recovery and evidence collection?
Note the precise position and orientation of all significant evidence, especially human remains, and to recover this evidence without any further alteration or damage
Emergency rescue units and recovery & evidence collection
Must be informed that while life-preserving rescue measures and medical care take precedence, care must be taken to ensure that as many bodies, body parts, and other evidence as possible are left untouched
Recovery
Ensures the dead are no longer exposed to public view and nature’s elements
Nature’s Elements
May result in longer identifications, loss of valuable information, and an incomplete report
What is the field operations team responsible for?
Locating, documenting, recovering, and transporting the remains from a mass fatality incident to a designated processing site or morgue. Also documentation of the entire scene.
