The Gap and Need for Critical Incident Stress Diffusion (CISD) after a Cardiac Arrest Incident

Saturday, December 2, 2023

10:25 AM – 10:50 AM PST

Location: Town and Country Ballroom B

Primary Presenter(s)

Maureen O'Connor, San Diego Project Heart Beat Program Manager

Program Manager/EMT
San Diego Fire-Rescue/San Diego Project Heart Beat
San Diego, California, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Presenter(s)

RH

Robert Hoadley, MBA

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor
TEAM LIFE, INC.
San Diego, CA, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
TF

Tom Farley, BA in Economics

Cardiac Arrest Rescuer
Retired
Poway, California, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Kevin Johnstone (he/him/his)

Chaplain, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
San Diego Fire-Rescue
Escondido, CA, United States

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Moderator(s)

KG

Keith Griffith

Disclosure information not submitted.

Disclosure(s):

Robert Hoadley, MBA: No financial relationships to disclose

Kevin Johnstone: No financial relationships to disclose

Summary: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can easily arise in both rescuers and survivors of a cardiac arrest experience, but can be overlooked. The immediate delivery of Critical Incident Stress Defusing (CISD) techniques is one set of resources to consider for the emotional and mental health of all involved..

Synopsis: Learn about the San Diego experience of best practices with CISD, addressing the most immediate needs of the rescuer and survivor alike. Leave this session inspired to provide the aftercare needed after a cardiac arrest. Learn more about using Critical Incident Stress Defusing (CISD) techniques and other resources.

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to better understand the "bigger picture" of how a cardiac arrest incident affects the survivor, the rescuer, the family and bystanders mentally and emotionally following an incident.
Students will learn of programs, services, groups and tools available to implement into existing care, to ease the mental and emotional distress caused for all involved in an incident.
This presentation will describe three (3) strategies for implementing effective support systems for cardiac arrest victims, survivors and their families and rescuers.
This presentation will describe one or more survivor / rescuer stories that can be used to illustrate an effective chain of survival for cardiac arrest.