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Apr 2006 Issue
By Steve Tracy, MA NAFP MFT
Question: My family has been going through our one year and 72 hour supply kits. It has been interesting to see what we have versus what we really use. While doing this we have been wondering what we can do to prepare for a crisis emotionally and as a family. What are some things we can do?
Answer: As every good Scout should know, being prepared is an ongoing process. Every member and the family collectively have a part to play and individual items to do to enhance your efforts and minimize the impact of a crisis situation.
In an emergency situation the body sets off its own mechanism to protect and help cope, commonly called the fight or flight response. In short, the body mobilizes the 5 senses, mind, and muscles to respond to what is happening either by staying to deal with it or getting away from the situation. The alarm response is primarily responsible for the extra energy needed to deal with a crisis situation. However, if improperly prepared, the same adrenalin can overwhelm a person, causing a shut-down or panic response. In a negative reaction judgment is clouded so people often do things that make a situation worse – like running upstairs or hiding in a closet or under a bed during a fire.
Proper preparation will help your family to channel the energy burst into making sure everyone is safe and the correct responses are performed. To do this three big important items are necessary:
Education - What items are most likely to happen.
✦ Californians, and others in active earthquake zones
regularly practice earthquake drills, how to tell when
one is occurring, and what to do to make yourself as
safe as possible.
✦ At home, fire drills, drowning, accidental poisoning,
trips and falls, burns, bumps, abrasions, and cuts are
most common.
Preparation – knowing what to do and practicing it of-
ten enough so you can do it while in the stressful situa-
tion.
✦ Routine and random practices are good ideas to help
everyone have experience under their belt.
✦ Do real life training exercises both using friendly, let-
me-show-you-how voices and simulated panic.
➻ For instance, a Scout leader used a Halloween fog
machine to simulate smoke in a room so the Scouts
could practice evacuating themselves and finding a
victim while their vision was impaired. (they
also discovered that fog machines will also set off
smoke alarms). This was a lesson they will never
forget.
➻ Even the military, police, firefighters, professional
athletes and performers do real life training exer-
cises to train their muscles, minds, and focus to
increase success when it is needed.
Readiness and Willingness – conscientiousness, hardi-
ness, and optimism are essential qualities needed so all
family members believe they can perform when needed.
✦ While the ‘real proof’ is seen in a crisis situation, the
foundation for a person’s ability is developed in day-
to-day interactions. Family members who are encour-
aging to each other are actually helping develop the
trait of hardiness – a strong characteristic that pro-
motes resistance to stress.
➻ Give directions how to do simple chores (laundry,
dishes, cooking, etc.) and then deliver praise for
a job or even portions of a job well done. Be sure
to allow each person a turn to be in charge, giving
instructions to everyone including adults. Feed
each other’s belief in personal capabilities. Teach
and learn commitment, challenge and control
together.
Spend a family night working on each of these areas, introducing and practicing them to get them started. Additional benefits will be seen by increased cooperativeness, communication, and affiliation with each other that can last a lifetime.
