The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives

by Judith Acosta, Judith Simon Prager

“One day, maybe sooner, maybe later, someone you love will be in an emergency situation. An elderly parent, a spouse, a child. Maybe you've taken CPR. More than likely, you have a First Aid book on the shelf. But when the crisis hits, after you've called 911 and, if appropriate, propped up the victim's head or feet, what do you do? What do you say? ‘Hang in there, Joe,’ or ‘Don"t die on me, damn it,’ may be heartfelt but is not exactly helpful.

“But there ARE words, and ways of saying them, that are not only helpful, but can turn the situation around, can positively affect Joe's heart rate, temperature, breathing, in fact his cardiovascular, limbic, endocrine, circulatory and respiratory systems.”

That is how THE WORST IS OVER begins.

This book has been called "the 'bible' for crisis communication by The International Journal of Emergency Mental Health.

And in the years since it was first published we have received letters from all over the world telling us how true those words are...and how helpful when every moment matters.

The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts is a book that is changing the way all of us—from first responders and health care workers to neighbors and family members—are speaking to each other in times of medical emergencies, trauma, and crisis. This in-depth guide to the protocol of Verbal First Aid™ is a revolutionary method of using the power of words to promote healing in emergency situations.

Research indicates that saying the right words at the right time in the right way can change the outcome of critical care, alter the chemicals the body generates, and set the course of recovery for people even before they arrive in the emergency room. People in crisis are in an altered state of consciousness while experiencing an emotional crisis or medical emergency, which is precisely why what you say is as important as what you do. At such times, words act as commands to the autonomic nervous system, which regulates bleeding, blood pressure, body temperature, muscle contractions, interpretations of pain, even emotional reactions. The right words can actually change the medical outcome.

And the right words said in a frightening situation may help shift the memory from one of trauma to a memory of rescue and perhaps even courage. Because we are a mind-body, physically and emotionally words can harm or words can heal.

While Verbal First Aid had its birth in the dramatic world of emergency rescue, it does not stop there. Verbal First Aid is the language of healing and can be used wherever and whenever the human heart is vulnerable. It is not only useful with asthma attacks and car accidents, but it can also be a life-saver when dealing with a loved one struggling with chronic pain, fighting the fear of cancer, or suffering from nightmares. The principles involved in using language to connect with the body and spirit for healing apply anywhere, everywhere, to all of us whenever sensitivity, understanding, kindness, and conviction are required. And isn’t that all the time?

Medical professionals and first responders across the country and around the world have discovered this protocol and are using it to calm, relieve pain, promote healing, and save lives.

And all of us, because we all have words and the ability to use our empathy and kindness, are ultimately equipped to help start the healing and change the outcome for the better. Will you know what to say when every moment counts? With this book and the protocol of Verbal First Aid, you can be that invaluable resource.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Health, Mental Health, Self Help, Parenting

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, I just re-read this book, which I first read in 2005 for job-related purposes. Re-reading it for practical, daily purposes enriched it for me. I love this book.

I have this childhood story that I carry around about my sister getting her finger caught in the blender. Out of 3 family members watching, one started screaming, one started running up and down the stairs and my other sister unplugged the machine. Yes, we were all young, but our initial responses to an event say a lot about our reactions to situations and carry forward in life. Have you felt you heart rate go up, or flushed in the face, or that you are holding your breath in reaction to someone's verbal aggressiveness? All of these reactions are embodied and affect our health on all levels. That is the basic premise of this book. While it systematically addresses situations of first aid, caregiving and even dying and how our choice of words directly influences the situation, it is excellent for use in our daily lives. So, the next time I am panicking about a situation, I'm going to recite to myself that the worst is already over.

[Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a few non-fiction books that I think everyone should read.

Protecting the Gift by Gavin deBecker is one, I buy this when I see it on sale because I give them away to people so often.

This is my next must read, though I also just bought a similar book by the same author geared towards parents Verbal First Aid. I will review that soon.

This book gives you tools what to say when something traumatic happens. I felt compelled to read this book and it paid off big time when my son broke his arm and jaw in a mountain biking accident earlier this month. http://thegiftofgivinglife.com/intuit...

The tools are priceless and easy to use. Everyone should read this book!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book which provides evidence of the healing power of words when a subject is in shock. Touted as "verbal first aid" and provides a script of sorts to use when in the process of saving lives.

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of the mind is absolutely fascinating! I would absolutely recommend getting a hard copy, so you can highlight and underline. There is a lot to remember.

I appreciate that they ended with self-care for those who are burned out and tired from constantly caring for others. As a person studying to become a counselor, I marked these pages to come back to and read again and again.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some decent nuggets of wisdom throughout, however most of their “proof” is anecdotal and completely unprovable. It also gets spiritual on a level that I don’t always feel is appropriate.

[Charlotte Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of how our words really matter, with some good word suggestions.

[Moira-ji · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf

got about a third of the way through and scanned the rest.
not sure what the editor was thinking.

[Mara Richards]

I thought that this was a great book! It is about verbal first aid, and what you can say to those in moments or even extended periods of distress. One of my favorite things about this book is that the techniques and ideas it talked about can be applied in many different situations. It can't only be used in times where there has been an accident or a disaster when physical first aid is required; it can also be used when someone you know is in the hospital and is battling a disease, or in the context of mental illness or anxiety, or even in small moments of distress in your everyday life. Overall, this book was extremely fascinating and very helpful. Clearly, the authors are very knowledgeable about the subject and the book was very well written. I personally had no criticisms of this book, but obviously this is a self help-ish/non fiction book, and if that isn't your thing, then I could understand how you might not like this book. Also, it incorporates faith into the book, and if you were against that, then that might be another criticism you would have after reading it.

[L Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both practical and very accessable. The concept works and the reader should practice the concepts and keep them fresh. You never know when you might need them! A great read.

[Sandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my kind of book.

[Bronwen Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book, it is invaluable. If you ever want to be able to help someone in a crisis situation with just your words, this will tell you how.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great examples to use in crisis situations wether at home or at work or along the way. Learn how to actively listen and respond with words that heal and help.

[Fiorella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book!!!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insights and advice for crisis, life management.

[Lynn]

Incredibly useful book about how the power of words and intention can assist someone in their own healing, using techniques from hypnosis. This technique is used by first responders, medics and EMTs as well as hospital personnel. A helpful insightful read if you work with people experiencing trauma and stress.