(Eugene, OR, October 2000)

First on the scene of a car accident. Witness to violence. In situations like these, ordinary citizens may need to provide emergency care.

When the emergency is over, however, the emotional impact can remain. A new video, After Shock: The Emotional Impact of Providing Emergency Care, outlines the reactions that may develop as well as steps to take to heal from the trauma. The video outlines the experiences of four Good Samaritans and includes the advice of Dr. Debra Whiting Alexander, a certified trauma specialist who has conducted research on the effects of trauma.

"Being a first-aid provider puts you on the front lines of somebody's tragedy," explains Alexander. While Good Samaritans may wish they could simply forget, she urges them to accept that their reactions are normal and to seek ways to resolve the emotional impact.

After Shock is useful for family and friends as well as the emergency-care providers themselves.

"This emotional aspect of providing emergency care has not been dealt with adequately in most training programs," says Maryl Barker, director of MEDIC FIRST AID which produced After Shock. "We feel it is an important part of any first-aid training course. The video and the accompanying facilitator guide and wallet card were designed to be used by any training organization and should be part of every corporate video library."

After Shock costs $24.95 and can be ordered directly from MEDIC FIRST AID at 1.800.800.7099.