Being supportive is different from trying to rescue somebody. Rescuing is a very draining activity. Rescuing means:
Doing something for others that they can reasonably do for themselves.
Assuming you know what another person wants or needs.
Not doing something because of its assumed effect, such as not saying something because you assume somebody can’t handle it.
Doing something you really don’t want to do for someone.
Ask the person what he wants and doesn’t want.
Be clear about what you want to do and don’t want to do.
Be clear about what you are capable of doing and what you aren’t capable of doing.
Negotiate about what you will and what you won’t do.
Acknowledge you may have an investment in rescuing others – and find out why.
Buddy debrief – let go of the big stuff before you go to sleep each day, even if it doesn’t seem like any big stuff happened, and harmonize your experiences with your buddy’s experiences.
Connect with someone outside the situation. Use warmlines (non-crisis peer-run support lines).
Move your body to release stress stored in your body – move-stretch-shake-hop-shimmy.
In additional to individual support, we can build a culture of support.
Buddy check-ins as needed; buddy debrief every night.
Big dinner, party.
Calling people to check in.
Check in weeks or months after big events, and on anniversaries of big events.
The medic training site is hosted by sdf