When it comes to crisis intervention training, cpi training, active shooter training, active threat training, and de-escalation training many businesses, institutions, and individuals benefit from our training.
Examples Of Who Can Use Our Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation Training
Service Industry Professionals
Religious Organizations
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Institutions
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Health Care Services
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An Excerpt From Mr. King’s Crisis Intervention E-Book
I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up
I hate to say that commercial was funny because it depicted a serious situation—an elderly woman falling and hurting herself is not funny. But, the line, “Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” was hysterical. Probably because of the way it was delivered more than anything. They didn’t spend a lot of money on the commercial, that’s for sure.
When you’re dealing with somebody in crisis, it can often be to your advantage to think back to when you were in a situation that might have been similar to theirs. Think about how you got through it, and go back to that time, emotionally. Doing that will help you to empathize with the individual and understand where they’re coming from.
Let me share with you a story. In 2002, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. It was late at night, and suddenly an individual came darting across the highway in front of me. He was not in a crosswalk and was intoxicated. I slammed on my brakes, but ended up hitting him with my vehicle. He came up and over the front of the car and through my windshield. I jumped out, performed CPR on him as best I could. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.
Years later, while working patrol in law enforcement, I received an emergency call that no officer wants to get. It turns out an elderly couple was driving to visit family. On the way to their house, in a small neighborhood, some teenagers were walking down the street. For some reason one of the teens thought, “Oh, it’ll be really funny to jump out in front of this car and scare them when they get close. It will freak them out!” Well, the kid didn’t consider the driver possibly not seeing him so easily, or reacting quickly enough. As a result, he was hit, and suffered a severe skull injury.
So, I arrived on the scene, and found this elderly couple standing there. They were absolutely beside themselves. As you can imagine, they were very, very upset. There we were, trying to get information and figure out what happened. The helicopter arrived and medevac’d the teenager to the hospital. I was trying to take down information and begin the accident report when it occurred to me that my past experience in a similar situation might be helpful. So, while they were upset and struggling to come to terms with what had just happened, I shared with them my experience. I just told them, “I understand how you feel. I understand this is a terrible situation, and it just so happens, I was in a very similar situation.” I then went on to tell them the fear and uncertainty that I had felt at the time, and it was the same as they were now feeling. The circumstances were a little bit different, but the reality was that I knew what it was like for them. I can tell you that while the scenarios and outcomes were different, I know it was helpful and comforting for them at that time. In that moment, I was able to bond with them. About six months later, I received a card from them thanking me for sharing my story, and expressing how much it had helped them in that moment.
Fortunately, the kid they hit lived and recovered fully.
When you’re dealing with someone in crisis and they’re going through something difficult, try to think back and see if you can pull out a story or information to share that might help bridge that gap. I encourage you to try, on some level, to relate to them to help get them through the crisis situation.