The Crisis of the Caregivers

Abstract

The crisis of near-drowning for the family and friends of the victim has been well documented. The emergency services personnel also are at risk for crisis as a result of the unique stressors they face because of their involvement with these critically injured young children. Mitchell's model for CISD is a pro-active and positive method for stress recognition, prevention, and reduction. It has particular application for those emergency services personnel who rescue and care for victims of water-related incidents, who are often young children. In this model, professionals are trained to recognize and respond to the stress-related needs of their colleagues. Through a combination of formal and informal sessions, a team of people assist the emergency services professional to explore their own thoughts and feelings toward a critical incident as a means of integrating those feelings into the person's repertoire of life experiences. This results in a reduction of stress and stress-related disorders and enables the emergency services professional to continue to function effectively and competently.