EMS personnel sometimes find themselves in dangerous situations. Sometimes the EMS provider is sees things that may have a emotional or psychological effect at a later time. EMS personnel are often confronted with critically ill or injured patients as well as the dead and dying. Sometimes the EMS crew opens the door of a house and is confronted by overpowering sights, sounds, or smells. Multiple patient situations present the possibility that the EMS crew may not only have to manage more than one patient, but also other EMS crews who have arrived to help. Angry or upset bystanders, family, or patients can be a source of stress for the EMS crew.

During stressful encounters, it is helpful to keep a clear head. The EMS priority is firstly administer appropriate medical care. Cooperate with other responders such as fire or police. The public expects the EMS provider to be calm, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Patients should be allowed to express their feelings (unless it’s harmful to themselves or others).

Learn to Recognize The Warning Signs of Personal Stress

1. Difficulty sleeping and nightmares
2. Irritability with coworkers, family, and friends
3. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or guilt
4. Indecisiveness
5. Loss of appetite
6. Loss of interest in sexual activity
7. Isolation
8. Loss of interest in work
9. Physical symptoms
10. Feelings of hopelessness
11. Alcohol or drug misuse or abuse
12. Inability to concentrate

Managing personal stress is easier said than done. If possible, talk about your feelings to somebody who can understand (like another EMS crew member). Some EMS companies offer professional counseling. Sometimes a lifestyle change (limiting caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol; dietary change; exercise) can reduce stress. Probably the easiest lifestyle change of all is to just swap shifts.

Sometimes it can be challenging to know when one is under stress. The body reacts to stress in various time intervals. In the shortest time period, the body adjusts to stress with an acute stress reaction. In acute stress reaction, a person experiences the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Epinephrine and norepinephrine coarse through the veins of the effected resulted in palpitations, nausea, abdominal pain, chest pain, and headache. With time and training, a person can adjust to the stress and reduce the effects of the acute stress reactions.

In the interest of survival, the body will delay the stress reaction until a later (and probably safer time). After the emergency is over, a person will experience the delayed stress reaction in the safety (and usually solitude). Cumulative stress occurs when a person is constantly exposed to stress, is able to cope with the stress, but eventually gets to a point where they can no longer endure the stress. An old expression was, ‘his bottle just filled up and he quit.. “.