| If you have ever been in a "lockdown" you know | | | | off...wax on...wax off". The repetitions of his |
| that you are supposed to lock the door, shut off | | | | movements over and over again paid off in the |
| the lights, proceed to a remote place of the room | | | | end when he realized he could use them in his |
| or office and be quiet. We practice shelter in place | | | | martial art competition. He overcame his fears |
| and fire drills along with lock down drills routinely in | | | | and not only won the competition but beat his |
| the schools to prepare you for "the real deal". | | | | rival. |
| Nobody ever thinks that you will ever have to | | | | So what did I learn from that lockdown? |
| use the information used or lessons learned from | | | | The more we practice the lockdown the |
| the drills until something really happens. | | | | smoother things will run and the less things we will |
| Recently, I was involved in a lock down during an | | | | have to "work out for next time". Thus, we will |
| investigation of a situation. I was very pleased | | | | be more confident and self-assured. People remain |
| that there had been cooperation so quickly. My | | | | calmer when they are prepared. |
| comfort level shifted however when the school | | | | Here are a few tips to help with being prepared |
| started letting people in the building as they did | | | | during a lockdown: |
| not want to leave students who were tardy | | | | · stay calm and try not to panic |
| outside. Along with the students however, other | | | | · take deep breaths to help with |
| people were allowed to enter the building. Three | | | | increasing anxiety |
| people came knocking at my door which I had to | | | | · follow directions completely |
| turn away. A lockdown clearly states nobody in | | | | · get people into your room immediately, |
| and nobody out. | | | | lock the door and don't open it for anyone until |
| The longer we stayed in lockdown the more my | | | | the all clear signal is given |
| anxiety started to build. My mind started | | | | · have pre-identified "safety spots" to |
| wandering and I became a bit scared at the | | | | send people who are not secured in the building or |
| possibilities. Reality has set in of the violence that | | | | outside the building |
| exists in our world each time a news broadcast | | | | · do not encourage parents to come to |
| speaks of a "situation" somewhere in the world. I | | | | the school or phone their children |
| heard all the conversations on the building | | | | · shut the lights, remain quiet during the |
| walkie-talkie which added to the anxiety. I | | | | lock down and move into a corner of the room |
| wondered if I was going to be called to help out in | | | | away from the door |
| any medical aspect of injury at any point in time. | | | | · post lockdown signs on building doors |
| My observations of myself surprised me as I | | | | · support each other in remaining calm |
| have worked in critical care units and trauma | | | | The more you practice the clearer your brain |
| situations and I had been down the road of | | | | pathway will be for that particular situation and at |
| "adrenaline rushing" before. | | | | a certain point your mind will want to follow that |
| Looking back I realized that in the movie "The | | | | track automatically. Keep an open mind and follow |
| Karate Kid", the greatest advice Mr. Miyagi gave | | | | directions to wax off anxiety and wax on peace |
| his student Daniel Larusso was "wax on...wax | | | | and calm. |