Each month I like to write a short blog about what I am currently learning, this blog is no different. On 28th April it was ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’. This may not sound as exciting as ‘International Day of Sport’ on 6th April or indeed the ‘International Jazz Day’ on 30th April, but for the lives of those at work it is important.
The World Day for Safety and Health and a medical emergency at my place of employment caused me to stop and think. It triggered a lot of thought and learning for me, some of which I will share with you.
A trigger is any stimulus that changes our thoughts and actions. The trigger could be a dramatic event or a small action that causes you to stop and think. I first heard the concept of triggers from the motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, some 20 years ago. Recently I came across the same concept again in Marshall Goldsmith’s new book, ‘Triggers’. They happen suddenly and unexpectedly and cause us to rethink our behavior and actions. Like an epiphany, a sudden realization that something should change in our lives. Goldsmith describes that there is always a high probability of low probability events. We do not plan for low probability events because, by definition, they are unlikely to occur!
I recently experienced my own low probability event, for the second time! A medical emergency at my place of employment. My colleague suffered a life threatening condition. The first aider was alerted and CPR performed. My colleague was resuscitated and the ambulance then took him to hospital to recover. Our office emergency procedure was handled well. Everyone was calm and professional and everything executed correctly.
My fate was to be in the middle of the emergency – My choice was to act now to ensure I was ready for the next, low probability event to happen!
The incident triggered some thoughts in my mind. What if Peter, the very experienced first aider, was not available? What if Mark was not there to find the Automated External Defibrillator? What if Christelle was not there to call medical services? What if I was alone and to handle the emergency myself? Of course, I could use Google and find the answers, however, during an emergency there is little time to consult the internet for life-saving advice!
Here are some actions you can take before you are in the middle of your own medical emergency;
- Know the emergency telephone numbers.
- Who are the registered first aiders?
- Where is the nearest first aid equipment?
- Can emergency services gain access to the building, department or office?
- The Mayo Clinic is a good source of first aid advice. http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid
- Consider registering for a local first aid course.
You do not need to know these points until you need to know.
Then it is already too late!
Stuart
Making Steps and Leaving Footprints…
(The thoughts expressed in this blog are my own and do not represent the views of my employer. ‘Triggers, Sparking positive change and making it last’, Marshall Goldsmith, Profile Books published 2015)