You encountered an emergency situation and offered assistance. What happens next?
Here's what one rescuer said:
While I was performing CPR, I was oblivious to everything but the CPR rhythm. When the fire department arrived to take over, I kept hoping and praying he would survive. After he was taken away, I needed to keep talking about the events to sort through them. At home, I told my wife, and we talked through what happened many times. I was very happy and proud that I had helped another person.
Performing basic life-supporting first aid can be emotionally stressful, particularly immediately following the incident and for the first 24 hours afterward.
This is especially true when providing care for children and family members. Thinking about the event repeatedly, self-doubt, and worrying about others (especially one's own family) are some of the most common and persistent symptoms. They are a normal phase of emotional expression.
The stress of helping someone can also bring back memories of past losses or traumatic events. Having someone to talk to following the incident is clearly beneficial. An informal discussion with family, coworkers, and friends can be an important, practical, and healthy coping strategy.
Most important: Take care of yourself. You've been through a stressful time and you owe it to yourself to address your own emotional needs.
Read a few Good Samaritan stories to see how others in similar siuations responded. These real-life incidents in which MEDIC FIRST AID trained individuals offered help illustrate the variety of reactions people can have before, during, and after an emergency.
