Emergencies

I'm about a -20. Totally unprepared for anything unexpected. Don't keep a breakdown kit in the car, extra batteries or non-perishable food in the house in as the power goes out. Even if I did, I would be shaking so much I couldn't use anything, anyway. Don't count on me when the chips are down.
 
I usually stay pretty calm, while the rest are running around screaming and wringing their hands.

Always have been that way and has paid off many times.
 

I'm a 10 for everyone else but a 1 if it's me that's hurt. I was an EMT for a while so I have a good idea about what's a real emergency and what's not.
 
Emergencies are stressful and I don't handle stress as well as I did when I was younger. Depending upon the circumstances, some things I can handle okay. I am not sure what type of emergency you refer to--an injury, a burst pipe, a financial issue? Because they require different responses, it really depends how stressful I find the situation. If it's not leaking, bleeding or on fire, I try to take things in stride.
 
I'm a 10 for everyone else but a 1 if it's me that's hurt. I was an EMT for a while so I have a good idea about what's a real emergency and what's not.

Agreed I make a lousy patient but would be excellent as an EMT. Cool as a cucumber in chaos. Of course afterwards it takes awhile to decompress.
 
Well, I have had quite a few stressful emergency type of situations. I'd say survival mode kicks in for me until the said catastrophic event is over and then I get the jelly knees. When I had my car wreck and there were about 4 doctors in the room checking me over and my c2 in my neck was fractured the doctor looked up at me and said " You are the first I've seen in this condition that was cracking jokes." My son told him " She's really funny when she's terrified. It just brings out the comedian in her." I guess it's a coping response from childhood.
Now on the other hand if the emergency is with my children I completely fall apart if it's bad. I remember once my son came hobbling in the room and the entire bottom of his foot had been sliced off and was flapping like a flip flop. My ex husband took one look at my terrified face and said " Don't worry I've got this one." & then picked the kid up in his arms and ran out the door with him.
 
I have always been a planner. I am always thinking 5 years ahead so most emergencies concerning the money, house, car or other physical things don't phase me much. Medical emergencies I am not that comfortable with and am of the mind that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I always took the boys to the Dr. when it looked serious but never over-reacted. On another note - Not that I have ever been in this situation but it always makes me crazy when someone on TV, or in a movie, just stands over the dead body and screams. I am always yelling at the screen, "Oh, that does SO much good and it is SO helpful to just stand there and scream!" I am much more apt to be giving the EMTs directions.
 
My daughter got hit by a car not too long ago...virtually in front of me. I wisked myself to her side. Trying to measure her injuries while cracking jokes way before the ambulance arrived. While hiding the blood on my hands and the condition of the elbow that hit the ground. "Yup that arm is gonna fall off, sorry about that". While cradling her head in my chest.

By the time the police got there she was hurt but giggling. "What if we get Callie over here? Even the cops will be hauling butt". I kissed her and they put her in the ambulance. I had a coloring book and pencils by the time I came to pick her up. I dealt with it later on my own...but it was okay.
 
fureverywhere said:
My daughter got hit by a car not too long ago...virtually in front of me. I wisked myself to her side. Trying to measure her injuries while cracking jokes way before the ambulance arrived. While hiding the blood on my hands and the condition of the elbow that hit the ground. "Yup that arm is gonna fall off, sorry about that". While cradling her head in my chest.

By the time the police got there she was hurt but giggling. "What if we get Callie over here? Even the cops will be hauling butt". I kissed her and they put her in the ambulance. I had a coloring book and pencils by the time I came to pick her up. I dealt with it later on my own...but it was okay.
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I would have been a bowl of jello. I'm glad you were able to keep calm . :)
 
Medical emergencies I can manage. I was a Practical nurse many,many, years ago. House emergencies are another story,like running right past the fire extinguisher to tell my hubby the curtain in the kitchen caught fire. Luckily it just smoldered a bit and a piece fell in the sink. No damage. The car also is a problem,slamming on the brakes when sliding on ice and the list goes on.
 
Really for anyone responding to an emergency. There was one horrible time, I recall being down at a blood donation site. They called it possible cardiac arrest. Nope I didn't feel so good. Worse was my shirt pulled up past my bra...yes I have underwires, take that off and I will hurt you.

But this wonderful woman beside me. I'll never know who she was but she stayed by me until emergency showed up. She focused on my shoulder tattoo. " Oh that is beautiful!!! Tell me about your dog." Just what I needed was to talk about Sophie. Probably blood pressure down and all much better. Someone in crisis...a tattoo, jewelry, anything that can get the person talking in a relaxed way.
 
Yes,Fur, talk helps. When I dislocated my knee and was laying on the floor in my house the patrolmen was the first to arrive. He talked about the photos I had on my wall,where they were taken etc. and my cat. By the time the squad got there to get me to the hospital I was quite calm.
 
I do very well when the bad thing is happening, but will fall apart after everything is all over. It's like I have to keep moving to do what needs to be done, whatever that is, and then when it's over I might just sit down and blubber.
 
I tend grow calmer in emergencies. At those times it seems you are more able to cast aside the unimportant stuff. Little things sometimes upset me more, at least in my initial reaction. :confused:
 
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