Panic attacks
Bruce Cavallari
Boca Raton, Florida
Have you ever been ready to go to a training evolution and known that you just did not feel comfortable? I knew there was something wrong about five minutes before I was expected to enter an SCBA blackout maze. There was nothing wrong with my equipment, my partner, or the maze. The problem was me.
A few minutes after this feeling started, I had developed a full-scale panic attack. My heart was racing; my breathing was rapid. I could not concentrate on the assignment. Worst of all, the more I thought about this, the worse it got. Basically, whatever underlying problem triggered the event had cascaded into a major problem that prevented me from properly completing the drill.
I am sure I am not the first person to have experienced this. The question is, Why would this happen to me after nearly 20 years of firefighting and instructing? I had never experienced any hesitation at fire scenes, rescue calls, or training drills. After discussions with other firefighters, doctors, and nutritionists, I have found that there are multiple reasons such an event can occur.
I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced what they would call a “panic attack.” Tell me the basics of the event as well as your age, sex, weight, and years of service. Include any physical, medical, or mental difficulties you may have experienced. Especially include anything that helped abate the panic, duration of discomfort, or any medical assessments you care to express. Describe the event as clearly and concisely as you can. Did it occur at an emergency scene or training simulation? Were you alone, or working in a group of two or three or more? How did you overcome the problem, and when?
You can help me develop a plan of action for these situations that the fire service can use in training or emergency situations. I believe there is a way to handle these very stressful events that is better than the methods we presently employ.
Write to: Lieutenant Bruce Cavallari; Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Station #51 “A” Shift; 10050 Oriole Country Road; Boca Raton, FL 33428; or E-mail me at BCavallari @ AOL.com.
