How to Conduct a Field Debrief After a Traumatic Event in the Wilderness

One of the best ways to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder is to discharge and process the negative and varied emotions triggered by the event as soon as possible.

Instructions

• 1

  See to the physical comfort of all involved in a wilderness emergency immediately following the rescue. Make sure they have clean, dry clothing, adequate food and water, and a comfortable place to sleep.

• 2

  Make an emotional debrief of the event mandatory for all involved, regardless of whether or not they believe they are experiencing stress reactions.

• 3

  Conduct the debrief within 24 hours after the rescue, making sure that people's physical needs are attended to before gathering for the debrief.

• 4

  Set aside at least one hour for the debrief, though more will probably be required.

• 5

  Appoint a facilitator prior to the debrief. In particularly traumatic incidents it may be useful to appoint someone experienced at critical incident stress debriefing who was not directly involved in the incident.

• 6

  Gather the group together in a quiet and private place.

• 7

  Communicate clear goals for the debrief. These should include providing a setting for each person to communicate their feelings and experiences during and immediately following the incident, venting frustrations, validating one another's experiences and feelings, and gauging the well-being of each person involved.

• 8

  Set clear guidelines for respectful and supportive discussion. Everyone should have an opportunity to talk and be heard without being interrupted by others. The debrief should not be used as a forum for criticism or expression of judgmental feelings.

• 9

  Assure confidentiality of everything discussed, and keep no records of the debrief.

• 10

  Start with specific questions to help channel discussion. Some useful questions are: "What was your first response or feeling after the incident occurred?", "What was your first thought after the rescue was over?", "Who do you wish you could talk to right now and what would you tell them?", "What is one thing you want others to know you did well on the scene?".

• 11

  Make sure everyone is encouraged to speak, but don't force anyone to speak if they don't want to.

• 12

  Approach silent group members after the debrief is completed and encourage them to talk one-on-one.