The primary goal in any high stress, potentially violent or volatile situation, is to use sound tactics to de-escalate the encounter in the hopes of disrupting or removing, if feasible, as many dangerous elements as possible.
De-escalation is now one of the single most important aspects in dealing with dangerous situation in todays world. Whether you work in the corporate world, law enforcement, or the private sector, you de-escalate situations daily. This is often done by reflex, without conscious thought. You may de-escalate when you talk your wife out of being angry or upset about something you may or may not have done. You de-escalate when you explain a decision or a mistake you may have made to a supervisor or when you speak to an angry client.
We use verbal persuasion, body language, hand gestures, and advisements to develop a rapport with the people we interact with. This is a skill we develop, often without realization, as a survival mechanism. We do this to “go along, so we can get along” with those we are surrounded by. We do this to avoid conflict so as to minimize the potential for further unnecessary unpleasantness.
Obviously not every situation can be de-escalated, but we often have the ability to influence the direction and potential outcome of many of the situation we find ourselves in, based on the decisions we make and the techniques we chose to implement.
A good technique, when you know that you are entering into a charged situation that you may need to de-escalate, is to attempt to gather as much information about the situation prior to entering into the conflict. Try to gather whatever resources you can. Items, information, facts, or tools that may be used to influence the outcome in a favorable manner for both you and the other party. If there are more individuals involved, than just yourself, try to communicate and coordinate a plan to address the situation. Work as a team! Develop a plan to ensure your success by slowing the situation down and controlling the momentum of the encounter.
At times you may find that controlling the distance is a great asset. Especially when you find yourself in a situation that may be violent in nature. The use of cover, or barriers, by placing objects between yourself and the other party, should always be considered. Using such tactics often helps to create more time to make decisions. This time is often critical in allowing for the opportunity to successfully diffuse the situation.
In a situation where it is not possible to defuse the situation it becomes necessary to manage your environment. Containment and isolation of the violent or dangerous individual becomes a priority. The use of these techniques minimizes the potential of danger to those who may be unnecessarily involved or affected by the actions of one individual.
Is such charged situations calms minds often prevail. Refusing to allow yourself to become emotionally drawn into the situation is a critical element of de-escalation. Frequently, having a stand off person, a supervisor or team lead, can favorably influence the outcomes of such situations. When these individuals becomes involved they can often manage the overall response to such encounters by coordinating responses and actions of their team.
It is critical to provide clear direction and communication to team members regarding your expectations, their positioning and what role they will assume in such situations.
At times, de-escalation of a violent or highly charged situation may mean the timely and appropriate use of a lower level of force to mitigate the need to use greater force later. This means that you must be aware of what the other party is doing at all times.
Recognize the potential dangers they pose and respond accordingly. Frequently waiting
for them to act first only serves to ensure that you will need to use much greater level o force to gain compliance. Frequently this force could have been minimized had a lower level of force been employed first.
Recognize how the situation is developing. Understand what you are facing and the threats you may be facing. Control your actions, reactions, and emotions. Manage how much force you chose to employ at all times.
You must make every effort to control the confrontation and not allow it to escalate. We must de-escalate to ensure that we are safe, those we work to protect and serve are safe, and the businesses we represent are presented in the best light possible.
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