By Rob Stallworth
InPublicSafety.com
It seems like a simple concept when faced with imminent danger: You either fight for your life, or you run away in order to possibly increase the odds of preserving your life. Being placed in a “flight or fight” position can increase your heart rate and pump blood to your muscles in order for you to engage the threat or get out of dodge…quickly! Your focus, as a correctional officer, is to survive and make it to the end of your shift, the same way you got there—in one piece!
Then it’s over: You survived a traumatic experience. Now what? What happens when you get home and the “stress” of the situation finally wears off?
Do you talk to someone about what happened?
Or do you suppress those emotions in order to appear strong in the face of adversity?
Unfortunately, many try to appear strong, but the reality is that the thoughts, feelings and emotions you are experiencing can often lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Full story: Fight or Flight: How to Cope in the Aftermath of Stressful, Life-Threatening Situations
Code 9 Officer Needs Assistance - The Documentary from Dangerous Curves Productions on Vimeo.
