Defusing is an informal, short-term intervention after a critical incident. It should:
Occur within hours of the event (ideally the same shift)
Encourage voluntary open discussion in a confidential setting
It is not a full debrief or counseling session and doesn’t require mental health professionals present. Forcing participation or waiting too long (e.g., 72+ hours) can reduce its effectiveness.
[References:, NREMT EMS Operations – Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) Guidelines, National EMS Education Standards – Mental Health and Stress Response, , ]
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