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| 5.6
Managing escalating situations |
The
key steps in managing an escalating situation are:
a)
Maintain self control
- Avoid mirroring
behaviour
- Control breathing
- Control voice
- Control stance
- Match verbal
to non-verbal behaviours
b)
Maintain a safe distance
- Danger zone
is 0 .4 metre to 1 metre from the
person
(within hitting and kicking distance)
- The area either
side of the danger zone is considered safe
c)
Maintain a non confrontational body stance
- Keep hands open
and in full view
- Stand slightly
at an angle to the person
- Avoid staring
or standing with your hands on your hips
- Avoid making
fast movements
d)
Analyse situation
- Is there anything
reinforcing the behaviour?
- Is there anything
frightening the person?
- Are they being
over or under stimulated?
e)
Decide on an intervention
- Intervention
can include negotiation, leaving, no action, surprise, diversion,
humour, isolating client, removal of other clients/people, requesting
assistance and evasive self defence (only to be used if under
attack / as a last resort)
f)
Review intervention and decide on next step
- Monitor situation
and intervention. This will help you decide whether or not to continue,
modify or stop the current intervention.
g)
Managing after a crisis
The body’s
normal internal reaction to stress is a build up of tension.
Tension can be
released by:
- Relaxation /
breathing techniques
- Vigorous
activity or aerobic exercise (physical release)
- Talking,
laughter, crying (emotional release)
Things to avoid
- Self-administering
drugs/overuse of prescribed medication
- Using alcohol,
caffeine or cigarettes
- Using food as
a means to cope
- Releasing tension
by aggression and anger
Things to remember
- after any crisis,
it is normal for a person to experience an emotional or physical
change for up to six weeks
-
don’t label yourself as crazy
- avoid making life-altering decisions within a few weeks of the crisis
- seek professional help if symptoms persist longer than six weeks.
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