Stress: following

a critical incident
Normal stress is part of everyday life.
However, some events in the work we do may
trigger stress over and above that regarded as
normal. These situations include, but are not
limited to:
bushlres
clill rescue and recovery
verbal or physical assaull
vehicle incidenls
workplace incidenls, including 'near miss'
situations
inlense media scruliny
emergency response.
The stress evoked by these critical incidents is
called critical incident stress (CIS).
This pamphlel oullines signs and symploms
ol crilical incidenl slress and whal you can do
about it.
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Pre-incident strategies and protocols
Critical incident occurs
Incident controller/manager considers the
nalure ol lhe incidenl and ils effects on staff
CIS rst aid is administered to minimise
lrauma and lo 'normalise' lhe incidenl
Lnd ol shill discussion is held wilh supervisor
or manager to wind down
Defusing session wilh lrained delusers
is held belore deparlure lo lerminale lhe
incidenl. Done wilh lrained responders
Debrieng session wilh lrained debrielers
is conducted within 48 to 72 hours to assist
sell-managed recovery
Follow-up aclions are implemenled as
necessary and parl ol DLC's Occupalional
Salely and Heallh Duly ol Care
Self-help tips
Aspecls ol crilical incidenl slress mighl leel slrange, unusual
or disturbing. However, they are common and quite normal
lo experience lollowing a lraumalic evenl. ll is highly likely
that these reactions will gradually decrease over time,
especially il you lollow some simple lips.
mainlain a heallhy, balanced diel and gel adequale sleep
and exercise
balance your work wilh recrealion and resl
keep a rouline wilh lamily, close lriends and lamiliar
surroundings
don'l push lhoughls and memories ol lhe evenl away
talk about them
don'l leel embarrassed aboul needing lo lalk aboul lhem
over and over
don'l be 'loo lough' lo gel help
recognise lhal previous unresolved slress may increase
current reactions to a critical event.
DECs Critical Incident Stress Management
(CISM) Model
Following the
incident
Before the
incident
During the
incident
For further assistance
You may lnd your currenl slress reaclions are more inlense and
overwhelming lhan usual, parlicularly il you have been involved in
previous crilical incidenls or have had some hislory ol emolional
issues, lor example depression, anxiely or inlense griel.
Symploms will usually decrease over lime (aboul lhree or lour
monlhs), however, il lhe symploms are inlerrupling your relurn
lo normal lile or are loo powerlul lo manage by yoursell, DLC has
supporl services available lo you and your lamily members.
You can access more inlormalion and assislance via lhe lollowing
conlacl numbers. The call is conldenlial.
In-house support
DEC Critical Incident Stress Hotline
0418 949 177
(08) 9219 9779
DEC Peer Support
0429 686 900
(08) 9219 9780
Professional support
PPC 24-hour Employee Assistance Program
1300 361 008
Advice and malerial lor lhis brochure has been generously provided
by lhe Crilical lncidenl Slress Managemenl Team, Deparlmenl ol
Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
Currenl al Seplember 20!0
Behavioural
leeling 'lal' and de-molivaled
leeling reslless, jumpy or unable lo relax
sleep dislurbance, dreams or nighlmares
increased alcohol, lobacco or calleine consumplion
changes in behaviour pallerns or habils. lor example
exercise, eating, recreation, sex
slurred or conlused speech
avoidance ol reminders ol lhe incidenl
Emotional
leeling irrilable or lruslraled
experiencing anger, ollen al lhe organisalion or managemenl
experiencing mood swings or a lack ol leeling
suspiciousness
leeling depressed, 'down' or sad, lears lor unexpecled
reasons
leeling guilly. lor example leeling 'l should have done
more' or 'l should have been lhere'
experiencing conlicling leelings and alliludes aboul lhe
incident or your own role
leeling devalued, ignored or misunderslood, especially by
managers
experiencing dissalislaclion wilh own or olhers' perlormance
leeling isolaled or unsupporled al work or al home
leeling conlinuing sadness, irrilabilily, guill or helplessness
A changed sense of self
experiencing disillusionmenl or cynicism
experiencing a loss ol inleresl, molivalion or career plan
wondering whal lhe poinl ol il all is
queslioning one's sense ol sell, lhe meaning ol lile and
values, and lhese possibly changing
nol lunclioning ellcienlly since lhe incidenl
experiencing a loss ol commilmenl or allachmenl lo your job
experiencing decreased work salislaclion or sense ol
purpose
reviewing your career
realising you were nol expecling lo reacl lhal way
Social
excessive lalking aboul evenls or need lor supporl
experiencing misunderslandings and conlicl in close
relalionships or wilh lhose involved in lhe incidenl
lnding you cannol communicale lo olhers elleclively
experiencing a loss ol inleresl in work, leeling delached
lrom olhers
avoiding people, leeling dislrusllul or lhrealened
wanling conlacl and reassurance
Pelerence. Human Pesources 8ranch, Deparlmenl ol Human Services,
Vicloria, May !997
Physical
headache or olher pains
muscle lension
excessive laligue
aulonomic arousal. lor example dizziness, swealing,
lrembling, looking pale, palpilalions
gaslroinleslinal reaclions. lor example nausea, diarrhea,
loss ol appelile
increased nervous arousal, being easily slarlled
Mental
poor memory, especially lor names
dillcully concenlraling, organising, making decisions or
planning
menlal conlusion, misunderslanding or uncerlainly aboul
lhe incidenl or one's aclions
losing lrack ol lhoughls
lashbacks or being unable lo slop remembering, lhinking
or being reminded ol lhe incidenl
uncerlainly aboul whal lo do, or aboul how lo respond
lnding yoursell keeping on wondering whal lhe incidenl
was like (il nol presenl)
dislracling yoursell lo avoid lhinking aboul or
remembering events
menlal pressure, leeling as lhough you cannol manage
Signs and symptoms to look out for: