PADDLER 97
Kayaking allows people to explore nature, build resilience, and engage in physical activity. However, the water environment can be challenging, scary, and intimidating, leading to anxiety and stress. If someone is already suffering from mental distress, this can manifest as challenging behaviour, emotional outbursts, or withdrawal.
For paddle sports instructors and peer paddlers, it’ s crucial to recognise and address signs of mental health distress while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all.
I have delivered wilderness and outdoor first aid courses for nearly twenty years. If a casualty has a physical injury, it is often obvious: a damaged shoulder, a bang to the head, chest pain, etc. If someone presents with mental distress, it can sometimes be harder to spot. We may not be attuned to subtle signs of distress, such as changes in behaviour, emotional outbursts, or withdrawal from group activities. Many instructors and club paddlers have done physical first aid training courses to deal with physical injuries on the water. In fact, for most paddlesport coach and leader qualifications, a physical first aid certificate is mandatory. Is it time paddle sports instructors and club paddlers did some training in Mental Health First Aid?
COMPARING MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TO PHYSICAL FIRST AID
Physical and mental health first aid aims to stabilise a casualty and ensure their safety until further care is available. In both cases, the response follows similar principles: assess the situation, provide immediate care within the scope of your training, and seek professional help when necessary. To help individuals remember what to do in a physical first aid incident, the first aider follows a system – classically the ABC of first aid. After much thought and discussion with both professionals and lay people, we have developed an incident system to follow for someone showing signs of mental health distress; this is comparable to using ABC for someone with a physical injury. The incident system is F. I. R. S. T and is explained below.
USING THE FIRST INCIDENT PROCEDURE FOR SYSTEM FOR DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS:
F – Find out or Figure out if something is wrong. Be observant. Look for signs that someone is struggling, such as changes in mood, communication, or engagement. Trust your instincts if something feels‘ off.’
I – Investigate. Start a conversation,“ I’ ve noticed you seem quiet today; is everything okay?”
R – Reassure. Let the person know they are not alone and that you’ re there to help. Use calm, empathetic language and avoid judgment. S – Signpost and support. Provide immediate support, then guide the casualty toward other resources, such as their doctor, mental health hotline, or other trusted professional.
T – Take care. Encourage the individual to engage in self-care when they’ re ready. Remember to prioritise self-care to manage the emotional toll.
PADDLER 97