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What Do We Do?

 

Table of contents
Introduction

It is the nature of an emergency to impose stress, confusion and anxiety on us. Our initial response is automatic, even instinctive, and flies in the face of almost every rational, logical action. Take the example of putting on oxygen masks during an emergency landing. Instinct says first to put the mask on the child, whereas in reality, if you want to save both yourself and the child, you must first put on your own mask and only afterwards help your child. Therefore, our actions in an emergency must be planned ahead of time, and be dictated by rationality, information, and prior experience. There is no point in trying to look for new answers to a concrete danger while it’s threatening you. It is well-known that people who have planned on how to cope with emergencies and know what to do, have been able to act correctly and thereby to save themselves, their family members, and those in their surroundings. Furthermore, studies have amply demonstrated that when a first response is organized and properly divided up among a number of people (a flight crew, an institutional faculty, a family), who have mapped out the actions that must done and divided them up between team members prior to the event, it improves the odds of coping with the emergency and raises people’s survival chances. As early as the second stage of the family talk, it is important to divide the tasks and activities up among family members.


How Do We Start?

·         First of all, it is important to clarify that the task of each individual family member on the team does not substitute for or in any way contradict the automatic order of actions designed to save lives. You may decide that one of you is responsible for turning off the gas supply or for shutting the windows on your way out of a room on fire. However, do not assume that this is the only task of this particular family member. An emergency might strike even when s/he is not at home. Clarify again that the tasks that are divided among family members are in addition to the personal steps listed.

·         Plan and define the actions that must be done in each of the different types of emergencies. It is most important to address the unique characteristics of every home. (Is there a member of the household who needs help walking? Does the interior arrangement of the home require different preparations from those of the neighbors? Did we remember to designate spaces for the pets during an emergency?) Make a list of tasks and functions.

·         Divide the tasks and function up among family members. It is important to match the task to the ability of each family member. Try not to underestimate: Assuming responsibility enhances the ability to cope. It is important not to short-change anyone in the family. Participation itself adds to the feeling of safety. Try to emphasize the critical nature of the task each family member receives, and the importance of his/her contribution to the success of the family preparations. Note that there are tasks that need to be done routinely, and that it is important to begin doing them today. You may find the material in Preparing the Supplies and Preparing the Home helpful for mapping out these tasks.