Keep yourself safe
Part of learning to look is to be aware (and sometimes beware) of our surroundings as part of risk management. The Red Cross will not assign any volunteers to a clearly risky circumstance. In addition, volunteers typically work in teams of two to reduce risk.

Risk factors can exist in any chaotic circumstance. For example, risk could involve physical isolation, dangerous environmental conditions, and clients who are under the influence of drugs. Someone who is sexually provocative or aggressive poses a risk. We have to be vigilant in chaos.

We can also be a source of risk to ourselves. In a natural disaster involving many victims, Red Cross case managers have to keep hydrated by drinking water and eating properly when seeing clients. Dehydration and hunger affect our thinking and cause fatigue. Dehydration, hunger, and fatigue diminish attention and cause mistakes. We have to take time to care for ourselves so we can care effectively for others during chaos. We all have our personal way of responding to stress.

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My Reactions to Stress