No training can adequately prepare one or ensure prevention of the occurrence of emotional aftershock. However, following these practical suggestions has been shown to be effective in reducing the effects.

(1) Before an emergency:

• Get pre-incident training
• Be part of a team - If you believe you can work alone in an emergency situation,
• you're setting yourself up for a crisis.
• Accept human communication skills training & stress management training - Helps people work longer & more effectively under emotionally-charged circumstances.
• Establish social & psychological support groups - To share triumphs & assist each other in absorbing the tragedies.
• Learn deep breathing skills - Helps diffuse tension, increase alertness & responsiveness to dangers in the environment. (Deep breath in, hold 5 seconds, exhale forcefully.)

(2) During an emergency:

• Be active - The stress response is action-oriented.
• Take breaks as often as possible.
• Use positive self talk - Remind yourself that your role in vitally important, & that you have the skills & abilities necessary to carry out the task.
• Control humor - Use with caution! Co-workers, victims & by-standers won't appreciate it.
• Do not exaggerate your efforts to control your emotions - A brief & controlled show of appropriate emotions is much healthier than suppressing them so much that they later produce harm.
• Eat even if you're not hungry to sustain energy - Avoid excessive caffeine & sugar.
• Rest when you can.
• Disengage nonessential personnel ASAP
• Check vital signs of very distraught personnel
• Rotate workers from more intense to less intense areas - Evacuate as needed
• Call in mutual assistance, clergy or mental health professionals as needed.

(3) After an emergency:

• Physical exercise - Within 24 hours
• Rest
• Eat nutritious foods
• Attempt to maintain a normal schedule
• Avoid boredom - Increases negative ruminations
• Express your feelings
• Do not fight too hard against dreams & flashbacks - They're normal means of processing the stress & will decrease over time & become less painful.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefings are an organized, group approach to the management of stress response and should include all involved & effected personnel:

• Facilitated by mental health professional or experienced others
• 24-72 hours after event is ideal, later if needed
• Positive emphasis - Not critical of system or individuals
• Safe place to express thoughts, feelings & reactions
• Educational element - Normalizes reactions
• Universalization - Eliminates the perception of isolation & the feeling that you're going through it alone & no one knows, understands or shares how you feel.
• Restores sense of normalcy to both individuals and team.