In Italy last October, the ICAR Medical Commission drafted recommendations for operational stress injury in SAR. The work of mountain rescue is difficult with many technical skills required but the psychological wellbeing of the humans involved is what makes us effective in our teams. Rescue work is emotionally challenging, but it should not be emotionally damaging. How do you deal with stress and stay in the green? How resilient is your team? Does your team culture support conversations about mental health? Look through the ICAR recommendations and check out the resources at Responder Alliance. Use these in your SAR work if you are not already doing so. Build connections on your team. The benefits will be both personal and professional and will be lifelong.
Dr. Allison Sheets
President – Mountain Rescue Association
