Critical Incident Stress Syndrome 4

SARBC

Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia

Depending on the critical incident and post-trauma consequences, these are examples of coping skills which may assist recovery.

        DON'T                                           DO

Drink alcohol excessively                  Expect the incident to bother 
                                           you
Use legal or illegal substances to             
numb post-trauma consequences              Maintain a good diet and 
                                           exercise
Withdraw from family, friends and
co-workers                                 Take time for leisure activities

Automatically stay away from work          Remind yourself that post-trauma 
                                           consequences are normal
Use off-duty time for training 
immediately after the incident             Learn as much as possible about 
                                           Critical Incident Stress
Look for easy answers to explain 
the reasons for the incident               Spend time with family, friends and
                                           co-workers
Think you are "crazy"
                                           Get extra help, if necessary
Have unrealistic expectations for
recovery