When planning for an expedition, one of the primary considerations will be the selection of compatible personalities, selected for the fitness, both physically and in experience and training, for the particular project.
However, in a disaster situation, anyone may react unexpectedly under stress. With a mishap affecting members of the general public there may be a very varied group of people thrown together.
Men, women and children, elderly people and babies. There may be pregnant women and people with medical problems or physical disabilities that require particular attention. Accident situations that involve such a varied group are likely to involve a higher risk of injuries than among a hand-picked group of the trained and fit.
Considerations
With a ship or commercial airline the ship’s officers or flight crew can be expected to take charge of the situation, if they are among the survivors. Regardless, there will not be the military chain of command or the acceptance of leadership and responsibility which can be expected in a compact, organized group. Some democratic procedure to make decisions, plan action and maintain morale must be attempted.
In an air or sea disaster, people of different cultures and backgrounds may be thrown together and forced into situations in which their own social or cultural taboos would not permit. Considerable tact may be necessary to overcome these problems. SURVIVAL, however, must take precedence.
Babies & Children
Babies may look fragile – but they are very tough. However, they must be kept warm and fed regularly. Children will need reassuring and comforting, especially if they have lost the people with them or they are in pain themselves. Often the adventure of the situation will help to keep them from becoming too worried and it will help to keep them occupied (vital for mental health), but they should not be allowed to wander, to play with fire or otherwise expose themselves to further danger.
The Elderly & Women
Old people are usually mentally tough and can give reassurances to the young, but they must be kept warm and fed regularly. It often seems true that women handle emergencies much better than men and are able to accept responsibility for others more easily. What should be kept in mind is that all people, regardless of age or gender will react to stressful situations differently and, generally speaking, will adjust according to their biological imperatives.
Elderly people, though full of wisdom and mental stamina, may not have the physical ability to hunt, gather, or defend. Women, whose strongest ability tends to be their intuition, will most likely be able to present many solutions to the same problem. They may lack the physical strength to implement the solution but their assistance could become invaluable.
Conclusion
The trauma of the experience may leave some people eager to follow any leadership which gives them hope. But, it will also provide an environment where antagonisms and prejudices can fester and grow. These must be overcome for survival to be viable.
The wider your medical knowledge, the better, but giving people the will to survive is important and much of this can be achieved by a good “bedside manner” – if you can give the impression that you know what you are doing then you are half-way there.
Calmness and confidence in yourself will inspire the confidence and cooperation of others. The more knowledge you have the better you will be able to cope.
I’ve located a highly recommended online medical training program that will help increase both your knowledge and confidence in any emergency situation.