Officer Safety Manual (Unit 11: Excited Delirium)

Question 1

Define Excited delirium and the associated symptoms.

Answer 1

Excited Delirium is a state of mental and physiological excitement characterised by extreme agitation, hyperthermia, hostility, extreme strength and endurance without apparent fatigue.
(Seattle police definition)

Question 2

Explain the development of Excited Delirium.

Answer 2

1. Dispatched to subject acting bizarre, illogical, and often violent.
2. Upon arrival, subject is often oblivious to police presence.
3. In order to restrain, several officer required to overpower subject.
4. Once restrained, subject suddenly becomes calm or tranquil.
5. Result of the strain on the heart will be fatal to subject.
6. The subject eventually stops breathing. This is often when a medical emergency will be called. Realistically, the medical emergency was long before that occurred.
   (pg.153/154)

Question 3

What are the pre-contact considerations for Excited Delirium?

Answer 3

1. Keep our distance
2. Encourage talking
3. Low light
4. Calm, slow speech
5. Slow movement
   (pg.160/161)