Racing heart, trembling, freezing — these are normal stress reactions. Here is how to bring yourself back, step by step.
BEHAVIOUR
Behaviour in emergencies
Stay calm, help others, get through together — how to stabilise yourself and support the people around you.
Self-help and psychological first aid for laypeople. This page does not replace medical or psychological treatment. In acute danger to life or a medical emergency, call 144 (ambulance) or 112 first. In acute mental distress: 143 (The Helping Hand), for children and young people 147 (Pro Juventute).
In an emergency, it is not only equipment that determines the outcome, but also how we behave — towards ourselves and towards others. Fear, stress and uncertainty are normal reactions. Those who understand them can counteract them and stay able to act.
The good news from disaster research: the vast majority of people act calmly, in solidarity and cooperatively in crises. True “mass panic” is rare. Mutual help is the rule — and that is exactly what this chapter builds on.
Our attitude: calm, friendly, non-confrontational. Listen rather than judge, cooperate rather than argue.
Important: this is self-help and psychological first aid for laypeople — not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. In acute danger to life or a medical emergency, always call 144 (ambulance) or 112 first.
Listening, giving orientation, handing out small tasks — how to give others support without losing yourself.
Most people cooperate. Here is how to deal with freezing, over-eagerness, fear and aggression — and how to de-escalate.
The simple principle "Look–Listen–Link" and the most important Swiss points of contact — from 143 to the Care Team.
Children sense stress acutely. Here is how to give them security — through calm, honesty and structure.