Your Brain in a Disaster
May 19, 2008 at 3:07 PM |
6 comments
If you survive the initial jolt of an earthquake, or if you hear a warning of a hurricane or cyclone that’s on its way, your brain will go through certain, somewhat predictable stages in response. Here’s an MSNBC.com interview I recently did on the importance of understanding those phases before you find yourself in a disaster.
Getting to know your disaster personality is just as important as stashing away water and food. And way more interesting.
JoyousMN said on May 30, 2008 at 9:40 am
Amanda, I found your blog thru a link from Karen Tumulty at Swampland. Very interesting and thought provoking. It’s spurred me on to do fire/tornado drills with my family and to be better prepared in case of an emergency. Thanks very much and I look forward to reading your book.
carolg said on June 01, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Your Time story struck home.
I was shot at gun point inside my apartment building one afternoon in 1981 in the village in NYC. I was shot for almost for no reason other than I couldn’t unlock the door for the intruder (we were in the hallway). I have been ever after surprised at the clarity of my response.
The intruder left. I then opened the door, put down checks on a nearby table ( I was enroute to the bank to make a deposit). I locked the door and then knocked on my next door neighbor’s door requesting them to call the police. I was lucky. The police were there in 5 minutes. And I lived next door to a hospital. The police threw me in a chair and into the elevator and asked me “Did I know the guy”
In the Ambulence I informed them to take to another hospital, remembering a New York Magazine article that reported Bellvue was best for gunshot and knife wounds!?
Fortunately they took me around the corner and I was on the operating table in no time. I also remember thinking to “will myself to live” when they took my blood pressure and the rest of the time thinking whether I should move to London, get a guard dog etc.
My mind was crystal clear throughout.
And that is what has always amazed me.
Thank for your article and the memories it brought back.
I look forward to reading your book.
Betty said on June 02, 2008 at 1:36 pm
My mom was a nursing teacher and volunteer for the Red Cross. This year I am teaching science at my church’s homeschool and we had a section on earth science where we learned about earthquakes and volcanoes. Because we live on the West Coast, I thought I would also teach them diaster preparedness for those things (which are what we are likely to experience). The kids each had to make a 3 day supply for their homes and document in pictures. The parents complained, but complied. I feel good! 14 families now more prepared (and their kids will have ideas on what to do)
control Blood Pressure said on October 10, 2009 at 10:10 am
Our principal strength is in our brain, which allows us to develop the tools to send spacecraft to distant planets and split atoms for limitless energy.Though some animals have more physical strength than us, we can subdue any animal by using our brains. This makes us the unqualified strongest species.We need to use our super-strength brains to love God with all our strength. One way I try to use mine is to show how wise and reasonable Christian faith is.
control Blood Pressure
games said on November 20, 2009 at 10:06 am
Very interesting and thought provoking
RandallFlagg said on May 02, 2010 at 3:54 pm
There seems to be more and more of them. need to get prepared…