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The Well-Being of the

EMT

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN -

BASIC
 Objectives 1 of 3
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 List possible emotional reactions that an EMT may

experience.
 Discuss reactions that family members may
experience when confronted with death and dying.
 State the steps in approaching a family that is
confronting death and dying.
 Objectives 2 of 3
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 State the possible reactions the family of an EMT

may exhibit.
 Recognize signs and symptoms of critical incident
stress.
 State steps to help alleviate stress.
 Explain the need to determine scene safety.
 Objectives 3 of 3
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 Discuss the importance of BSI.

 Describe the steps of personal protection from
airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
 List personal protective equipment necessary for
various situations.
 The Well-Being of the EMT
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 Personal health, safety, and well-being are vital to

an EMS operation.
 You must learn to recognize and protect yourself
from hazards.
 You must cope with mental and physical stress.
 Self-control is achieved by:
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 Proper training

 Ongoing experience

 Dedication to serving others

 Death and Dying 1 of 2

 Changes in society have changed

people’s attitudes toward death.
 Life expectancy has increased.
 Family mobility may mean less support for
grieving people.
 Death no longer commonly occurs at home,
but occurs in a hospital or at an accident site
such as the highway instead.
 Death and Dying 2 of 2
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 Death is something you will have to face.

 Coming to grips with death is part of delivering
care.
 Physical Signs of Death
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 Absence of circulatory and respiratory function

 If the body is still warm, initiate care.
 If hypothermia is present, initiate care.
 Presumptive Signs of Death 1 of 2
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 Unresponsive to painful stimuli

 Lack of pulse
 Absence of breath sounds
 Absence of eye movement
 No blood pressure
 Presumptive Signs of Death 2 of 2
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 Dependant lividity (bluish discoloration of body

with gravity)

 Profound cyanosis

 Decreased body temperature

 Definitive Signs of Death
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 Obvious mortal injury

 Rigor mortis

 Putrefaction (decomposition of body)

 Medical Examiner Cases
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 DOA
 Unknown cause of death • Poisoning
 Suicide • Accidents
 Violent death
• Criminal act

Keep notes of any care provided.

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Grieving Process
1. Denial: Refusal to accept

2. Anger: Blaming others

3. Bargaining: Promise to change

4. Depression: Open expression of grief

5. Acceptance: The simple “yes”

 What can an EMT do?
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 Do helpful things.

 Make simple suggestions.

 Be yourself and sincere.

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Dealing with Family Members
 Act in a calm manner.

 Show concern about privacy.

 Respect family’s wishes.

 Be honest.

 Don’t create false hope.

 Concerns of the Critically Injured
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or Dying Patient
 Anxiety  Dependency

 Pain and fear  Guilt

 Anger and hostility  Mental health

problems
 Depression
 Receiving unrelated
bad news
 Caring for the Critically Ill and
Injured Patients 1of 2
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 Avoid sad and grim comments.

 Orient the patient.

 Be honest.
 Caring for the Critically Ill and
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Injured Patients 2 of 2

 Acknowledge the seriousness of the condition.

 Allow for hope.

 Locate and notify family members.

 Factors Affecting Patient
Reactions
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 Socioeconomic • Mental disorders

background
• Medication
 Fear of medical personnel reactions
 Alcohol/substance abuse • Age
 Chronic diseases • Nutritional status
• Guilt feelings
STRESS WARNING 21

SIGNS AND THE WORK

ENVIRONMENT
 Physiological Manifestations of
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Stress 1 of 2
 Rise in respirations and pulse

 Increase in blood pressure

 Cool, clammy skin

 Dilated pupils
 Physiological Manifestations of
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Stress 2 of 2
 Tensed muscles

 Increase blood sugar levels

 Perspiration

 Decreased circulation to GI tract

 Critical Incidents
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 Mass Casualty Incidents

 Traumatic injury or death of child

 Motor vehicle accident caused by EMS personnel

 Serious injury or death of coworker

 Critical Incident Stress
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Management

 A process designed to help EMS personnel deal

with responses to critical incidents

 Support from colleagues, family, EMT medical

director, and Siloam hospital system when needed
 Components of Stress
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Management System
 Pre-incident stress education
 Stress education during EMT training
 On-scene peer support
 One-on-one support as needed after incidents
 Disaster support services
 Stress and Nutrition 1 of 3
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 Prolonged stress drains the body’s reserves.

 Under stress, body’s fuel sources are consumed in

large quantities.

 Physical stress will deplete energy sources quicker.

 Stress and Nutrition 2 of 3
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 Glucose
 Quickest source of energy
 Taken from glycogen stored in liver

 Proteins
 Drawn from muscles
 Long-term source of glucose
 Stress and Nutrition 3 of 3
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 Fats
 Used by tissues for energy

 Water
 Conserved by exchanging sodium & potassium from
kidneys

 Vitamins and minerals

 Vitamins B, C, and most minerals are depleted.
Benefits of Exercise and Proper
Nutrition

 Muscles will grow and retain protein.

 Bones store calcium and become stronger.

 Well-balanced meals provide necessary nutrients

to body.

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