Bob Hills, MS,MA
Chaplain
Indy Racing League

It is the individual’s emotional, behavioral and psychological response when confronted with acute trauma. When there is unexpected event failure, excessive human suffering or unusual, disturbing sights and sounds, or when there is a perceived life threat, the individual can experience a traumatic stress response.
Critical Incident Stress (C.I.S.) has the potential to affect one’s ability to function either at the scene of an incident or later.

Crisis - Trauma z Natural - Tsunami z Human Induced Disasters - Mass-casualty event, crashes, explosions, killings.
Disaster caused by man-made agents. In racing: driver crash, pit incident (crash/fire), garage accident, travel accident.

Numbness
Collapse of one’s
Exhaustion worldview
Excitability/hyper-
Traumatic memories of sensitivity the event
Sleep Disturbance
Fear of reoccurrences
Disorientation
Separation Anxiety
Helplessness/Impatient
Excessive
Intense Guilt preoccupation with
Frustration/Anger injury/death
Feelings of Isolation Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of incompetence /completing tasks

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a process that potentially limits the development of post-traumatic stress in people exposed to critical incidents. Professionally conducted debriefings help people cope with, and recover from an incident's aftereffects. CISD enables participants to understand that they are not alone in their reactions to a distressing event, and provides them with an opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings in a controlled, safe environment. Optimally, CISD occurs within 24 to 72 hours of an incident.

CISD Logistics – Accessible, safe, comfortable room with good acoustics.
Chairs in circle if possible. Have marker board or flip chart to record responses.
Printed handouts (educational). Have
Kleenex, water and restrooms easily accessible.

Debriefing Team Role – The debriefing team is in charge. Starts with rapport building, introductions, explanation of rules and procedures.
Ground Rules – Confidentiality, permission to say what you want, respect rights of others to speak and be heard, no note taking, no violence, must stay for the whole debriefing. Not forced to talk.

Procedure/Components – Ask group members about their experiences before and during the event. Ask members how they are coping. Ask what their fears are for the future .
Future – Plan future meeting at track or team garage. Reference local support groups.

Carol North, MD – study showed that one in three developed PTSD and almost half suffered depression or alcoholism. Those that relied on alcohol
& drugs as well as those who avoided thinking & talking about the bombing were likely to develop long-term problems.

Those at Risk for Severe Stress
Responses
Exposure to other traumas
Chronic medical/psych illness
Chronic poverty, homeless, unemployed
Recent major life stressors
Crisis stress may increase memories of prior trauma and may intensify preexisting problems.

by Jeffrey Mitchell, Ph.D.
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