Geez, I could have used something a couple of years back when I kept getting voluntold as the problem solver / red tape wrangler for someone by virtue of a) better (relevant) communication skills and b) being the adult present with the most spoons left (or on a bad day /any/ spoons).
>>Gestural languages such as American Sign Language and Plains Indian Sign have an advantage in that many words are visual representations, which can work even if you don't share a common language.<<
That looks like a good website for ASL. Sign languages and acting are great ways to learn how to emphasize body language. (I recommended this to some people who were wondering how to emote effectively with the limitations of certain modern fashions.)
Also, ASL (and presumably other sign languages) can be used as a form of mime across /spoken/ language barriers, if the specific sign is not too symbolic (actually, this can work with some folk who have sensory issues or learning difficulties.). I've also used the same cheat with Blissymbols for drawing pictures. (I find it easier to not have to 'reinvent the wheel' each time.)
>>You should also learn how to send and receive Morse code.<<
Morse code can be used with sounds (as is commonly imagined), by passing something in front of a light source, and I've also read one story where the character was communicating by moving her hand-down vs hand-across (they needed to communicate over a long distance without shouting).
>>The Alpha Bravo code is useful too.<<
I use this trick when spelling tricky stuff over the phone (but I just use whatever words come to mind, not the official list). I also came up with my own (very basic, noun-focused) wordlist for my ESL students to a) learn the alphabet and b) spell stuff over the phone - especially unusual names.
>>Blink<<
Are there picture sets for Bllink? If not, how do you make your own?
>>A methodical approach works best for long-term solutions. In an emergency, you need to make decisions fast in order to solve problems. Never move faster than your ability to make good decisions.<<
Lately people keep insisting we don't need to talk about stuff in advance (or getting annoyed when I ask for more information) then getting annoyed when I refuse to do (non-emergency) stuff for them, or have emotional reactions during an emergence. Seriously, if you don't like messy emotions during a crisis, lets schedule them ahead of the crisis. Sheesh.
Why is trying to get people to communicate effectively and plan for predictable calamities like pulling teeth?
>>Roleplaying<<
Also look up real-life videos or documentaries of actual disasters. Rescue 911 has videos on YouTube, and they cover the usual everyday 'call 911' type emergencies. There are other shows that document emergencies, and there are a few that do walkthroughs explaining survival skills. (Apparently, you can cannibalize car interiors to make cold-weather gear in a pinch. Who knew?)
>>When our pump was at risk of falling through the floor, I suggested tying a rope around it to prevent that, which worked -- an idea directly inspired from roleplaying experiences with rope use.<<
Also, pay attention to how a variety of different people, from all over the world and from different periods of time, solve/d skills. People from the Third World, or Medieval Europe, or the Stone Age would have a variety of different skills that might work better for a given problem than a modern-American approach.
>>Situational awareness<<
And be sure to pay attention to other people. They might notice things you don't, or be running a different set of risk assessments.
>>Know how to calm an upset person.<<
I see your calming skills and raise you a language barrier...(fortunately I've never had to calm a panicking person through a language barrier...though I tried researching it around last November). I did have to instruct someone through a minor crisis with a /partial/ language barrier once. (Fortunately, we had enough ability to communicate to convey instructions...)
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dancing_serpent
(no subject)
Date: 2021-04-04 02:11 am (UTC)Geez, I could have used something a couple of years back when I kept getting voluntold as the problem solver / red tape wrangler for someone by virtue of a) better (relevant) communication skills and b) being the adult present with the most spoons left (or on a bad day /any/ spoons).
>>Gestural languages such as American Sign Language and Plains Indian Sign have an advantage in that many words are visual representations, which can work even if you don't share a common language.<<
That looks like a good website for ASL. Sign languages and acting are great ways to learn how to emphasize body language. (I recommended this to some people who were wondering how to emote effectively with the limitations of certain modern fashions.)
Also, ASL (and presumably other sign languages) can be used as a form of mime across /spoken/ language barriers, if the specific sign is not too symbolic (actually, this can work with some folk who have sensory issues or learning difficulties.). I've also used the same cheat with Blissymbols for drawing pictures. (I find it easier to not have to 'reinvent the wheel' each time.)
>>You should also learn how to send and receive Morse code.<<
Morse code can be used with sounds (as is commonly imagined), by passing something in front of a light source, and I've also read one story where the character was communicating by moving her hand-down vs hand-across (they needed to communicate over a long distance without shouting).
>>The Alpha Bravo code is useful too.<<
I use this trick when spelling tricky stuff over the phone (but I just use whatever words come to mind, not the official list). I also came up with my own (very basic, noun-focused) wordlist for my ESL students to a) learn the alphabet and b) spell stuff over the phone - especially unusual names.
>>Blink<<
Are there picture sets for Bllink? If not, how do you make your own?
>>A methodical approach works best for long-term solutions. In an emergency, you need to make decisions fast in order to solve problems. Never move faster than your ability to make good decisions.<<
Lately people keep insisting we don't need to talk about stuff in advance (or getting annoyed when I ask for more information) then getting annoyed when I refuse to do (non-emergency) stuff for them, or have emotional reactions during an emergence. Seriously, if you don't like messy emotions during a crisis, lets schedule them ahead of the crisis. Sheesh.
Why is trying to get people to communicate effectively and plan for predictable calamities like pulling teeth?
>>Roleplaying<<
Also look up real-life videos or documentaries of actual disasters. Rescue 911 has videos on YouTube, and they cover the usual everyday 'call 911' type emergencies. There are other shows that document emergencies, and there are a few that do walkthroughs explaining survival skills. (Apparently, you can cannibalize car interiors to make cold-weather gear in a pinch. Who knew?)
>>When our pump was at risk of falling through the floor, I suggested tying a rope around it to prevent that, which worked -- an idea directly inspired from roleplaying experiences with rope use.<<
Also, pay attention to how a variety of different people, from all over the world and from different periods of time, solve/d skills. People from the Third World, or Medieval Europe, or the Stone Age would have a variety of different skills that might work better for a given problem than a modern-American approach.
>>Situational awareness<<
And be sure to pay attention to other people. They might notice things you don't, or be running a different set of risk assessments.
>>Know how to calm an upset person.<<
I see your calming skills and raise you a language barrier...(fortunately I've never had to calm a panicking person through a language barrier...though I tried researching it around last November). I did have to instruct someone through a minor crisis with a /partial/ language barrier once. (Fortunately, we had enough ability to communicate to convey instructions...)