Poem: "Finding Yourself in a Crisis"

[ysabetwordsmith]

This is today's freebie. It was inspired by a prompt from my_partner_doug. It also fills the "Finding Self" square in my 9-1-21 card for the Platonic Love Fest Bingo.


"Finding Yourself in a Crisis"


You never know when
something could go wrong.

You might find yourself in
a crisis at any moment.

It could be a storm with
torrential rain or snow,
violent winds ripping up
trees to hurl about.

It could a car crash
with a dozen vehicles
smashed together and
full of screaming people.

It could be anything at all.

The key to finding yourself
in a crisis is self-awareness.

Know what you do well and
what you do poorly, what you
are willing and able to do
and what you are not.

There are three roles you
could take in an emergency:
lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Someone has to take charge
and organize the bystanders
into effective volunteers.

Others must take orders
and work together as a team.

Those who can do neither
can still help by staying calm
and quiet, clearing out so that
other people can get to work.

All three are equally valid choices;
choose the one that best suits
your personality and skills.

In an emergency, there's
no time to think, only react.

So think ahead: when things
go wrong, what will you do?

Lead, follow, or get out of the way?

Comments

[technoshaman]

I follow Elliot Seguin, a professional test pilot. He says, and several other people I follow and respect agree, that if you're doing it right, all the hard decisions get made before you ever get in the cockpit. If an engine packs it in before this speed, we shut everything down and brake like crazy. If something goes awry after this speed (and there are still enough engines left to fly) we're going flying period paragraph. If the aircraft exhibits X behaviour we're bailing out. (Test pilots wear parachutes for a reason.)

This is very similar thinking. I remember doing it during the Nisqually quake. I'd never physically practiced it, but I knew what I was gonna do if something hit b/c I'd played it out in my head...and when the quake hit, it was "drill mode."

So, yeah. This is L-space thinking too.

Also: Never underestimate, in a long crisis, the importance of the people bringing in hydration and nourishment. Just showing up with meal bars and Gatorade, or hot coffee and stew, or whatever when people need fuel to keep digging people out? Like diamonds.

[(Anonymous)]

I'll add "If you run into / hear of a problem for which there is no plan, /make one for next time/." Applies equally well to massive hurricane cleanup or getting lost because of a language barrier between navigator and driver...

Also, this town in Canada is awesome (Operation Yellow Ribbon):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8_Ey5ph4wW8

[technoshaman]

Oh yes. Gander is amazing. They even made a play about it, called "Come From Away"...

And agreed on updating one's planbook as you go.

[(Anonymous)]

As I've told some of the kids in my family:

"Part of being an adult is planning for things that are likely to go wrong."

So. Pack like the plane will lose your checked bags, and the carryons you had to check. Keep a phone charger in your car - and maybe a paper map. Carry water when going out on a hot day. Assume there'll be trouble with getting your next round of vital meds. Always try to have at least three ways to do everything. Keep up with routine car maintenance- and for heavens sake replace that dinky spare with an actual tire, if you can afford it. Be kind and helpful to people - but don't be a doormat. Cultivate a good reputation. Stash spare food and drink at places you frequent.

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I am definitely a belt-and-suspenders guy, when I have the resources for it. I like having multiple contingency plans. "Always have an exit plan" is excellent advice, however much normal people may frown on it.

Re: Yes ...

[(Anonymous)]

Normal people want to believe the world is safe, and always having an exit plan messes with that assumption.

After this year, I may update my personal mottos to include "have at least three plans for everything," and yes this includes such basics as clean water.

And back in the nostalgic days of yore, I would end up joking with my coworkers that "I don't carry anything for an alien invasion... so you'll all be dealing with the Martians on your own!" I would, however, share my food stash if someone forgot their lunch...

[fyreharper]

Just found out that a video recording of Come From Away is being released this Friday!!!! I am excited; I was supposed to go see it with some friends last year, and then, well.

[technoshaman]

WOOOO! Yeah, me too. Details, please?

[fyreharper]

It’ll be on Apple TV+, which thankfully does appear to have a watch-in-browser option for those of us who don’t have the appropriate hardware

https://www.movieinsider.com/m19030/come-from-away

[siliconshaman]

Those that handle support & logistics, supplies in, people out... are also heroes, albeit often unrecognised.

Personally, I prefer that. I'll let someone else do the flashy dangerous stuff. I'll be organising tea and food for anyone not needing treatment etc.