If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that an emergency situation or an accident can happen anytime and anywhere.
It’s only a matter of preparing ourselves for anything that’s to come. Still, given the fact that we can get caught off guard in an emergency situation, how are we able to escape it if we’re given the chance?
The great thing about the human brain is that it’s capable of seeing situations from both a subjective and objective perspective. Animals, especially primates, are also capable of reacting in certain ways during an emergency situation. Unlike humans though, animals are more efficient when it comes to instinctive problem-solving because of a lack of subjectiveness.
Indeed, when we are faced with danger, we are often confronted by prior experiences and encounters that supposed to help us overcome the emergency situation. We think through numerous possibilities and, hence, react later than an animal would.
The human brain is a machine that’s capable of doing so much. It’s only a matter of training it for emergencies and other situations that require immediate action.
Here’s how you can train your way to think through any dire situation:
Be organized
It’s easier said than done, but in the event of a disaster (and if you happen to be the leader of your organization), it’s always important to be detail-oriented and disciplined in making sure people’s lives and property are secure.
If you aim to be organized, make sure to turn your focus on the planning and drilling that will provide structure in the event of an emergency. This may include creating emergency procedures and training your staff or setting up a hierarchy so people always know who is in charge of what when executives have to leave for emergencies.
Use your analytical powers
Humans are able to solve problems in complex ways despite the fact that prior experiences can dictate the outcomes of an action. Analytical thinking allows us to subvert the subjective side in favor of a more objective approach towards managing an emergency situation.
In an earthquake, for instance, people tend to turn on their “every man for himself” button by going under tables and chairs like they are told to do during earthquake simulations. It requires our analytical brain to overpower the instinct and to think of more effective emergency reactions like getting away from weak structures.
Manage safety
It’s great to have the ability to think things through during an emergency situation. However, it’s much better to have foresight by researching and then preparing for everything before an emergency or disaster strikes.
Even if you haven’t undergone special training, basic skills in occupational safety and disaster preparedness can be your best bet in terms of protecting lives and providing effective leadership in times of crisis.
Enhance your communication skills
Whether it’s before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, communication is essential. After all, you definitely can’t practice sound judgment when you lack the ability to communicate with your co-workers.
Effective communication, for one, reduces ambiguities and allows you to direct people towards the helpful course of action. One thing’s for sure, people get so anxious that they tend to lose the ability to communicate properly, which can be dangerous in the event of a disaster.
Keep yourself calm and composed
Above all, leadership is needed during a crisis and being the manager of your organization, your employees will look towards you for guidance. More so, the organization’s continuity depends entirely on how you are able to assess the needs of the organization and determine the right courses of action to take regardless of the nature of the crisis.
Sound management skills are always essential in keeping an organization and its people safe from the risks of a disaster. You need to be calm in order to think more clearly and come up with more effective strategies for dealing with a disaster.
It’s impossible to keep yourself calm when clearly you and everyone else are facing an unexpected situation. Yet, it’s still possible to come out the other side by setting aside anxiety and allowing our minds to study and work on the situation more effectively.
When it comes to a crisis, we can never really act the way we expect. Then again, given the fact that lives are at stake, the only tools for survival we can truly rely on are our minds. With the right training, the right decisions come easily.
