Your Brain in a Disaster
May 19, 2008 at 3:07 PM |
3 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)