Upon arriving at a psychiatric emergency, what is the first step while awaiting police assistance?

When responding to a psychiatric emergency, ensuring safety is the foremost priority. Retreating to a safe location while encouraging bystanders to do the same allows for a more controlled and secure environment. This step helps in assessing the situation without escalating it further or putting yourself and others in danger.

In many instances, individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis may exhibit unpredictable behavior, and maintaining distance can help de-escalate tension. While it’s important to assist the patient, doing so must be balanced with the necessity of ensuring the safety of both the EMT and those in the vicinity.

Taking a step back allows for observation and assessment of the patient's behavior and needs while awaiting additional support, such as police assistance, who are trained to handle potentially volatile situations. Maintaining a safe distance can also help prevent the situation from becoming confrontational.