Have you ever started to introduce an old friend and forgot their name?
It’s right on the tip of your tongue… you’re looking right at the person, and, and…
You can’t remember their name…
What the heck!
Has this ever happened to you?
Probably,
Because sooner or later it happens to everyone.
And sometimes it’s worse than forgetting an old friend’s name.
Sometimes it’s Mom or Dad!
There are reasons this happens. One reason is performance stress.
At the moment you need to remember, you put pressure on yourself and blank out.
A second reason is familiarity.
We’re all pretty familiar with our own parents, right? So familiar, we almost never call Mom and Dad by their first names. Or if we do, we never consciously think about it. We just do it.
And then when we try to introduce them, we forget their names. Crazy, but true, right?
What Happens When The Stress Goes UP
But what happens when the stress level goes way up? What happens when the stress is real and the outcome uncertain?
How do we use our words then? And is there a way to get better at it?
The answer is yes. Communication is a skill. And there absolutely is a way to get better at using our words under real performance stress. This article will show you how.
For a Moment, Imagine The Worst. A scenario where you have to get the words right. A situation where your life depends on it.
Imagine looking up from a patient and seeing an aircraft headed straight for you– same altitude, approaching fast!
Now is not the time to fumble with words.
“But, but, I’m not good with names” will be no comfort to the family and friends you leave behind.
You need the right words, right now.
You need to quickly and effectively communicate exactly what needs said. No excuses, no exceptions.
Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say
“Say what you mean, mean what you say” takes on a whole new meaning when your life depends on it. And here’s the thing: If you fly EMS, you know the scenario above is possible; and if you fly EMS long enough, you also know the scenario is probable.
So what to do?
Wait and hope the safety fairy magically takes care of everything? Or a proactive solution today?
I vote for the latter.
At Flight Safety Network, we teach getting really good at the basics. Master the basics and the rest will work itself out.
In this situation, the basics to master are the ABCs of effective crew communication.
The ABCs of Crew Communication
So what are the ABCs of effective flight crew communication?
The ABCs of effective flight crew communication are Accurate, Bold and Concise.
Here is an example of Accurate, Bold, and Concise flight crew communication:
“Traffic, 12 O’clock, Turn left now.”
Did you see what happened there?
It’s important. Because you’ll develop your own effective communication style by copying a correct style. Let’s take a closer look:
Bold – speak up, be heard, get everyone’s attention right away. Traffic! Is a word that gets attention in an aircraft.
Accurate – Say exactly what you mean the first time.
Concise – Don’t mix words, don’t add extra words.
I can hear the objections already.
How To Get Better
That’s all well and good and makes perfect sense, but how do you get better at it?
I’m glad you asked.
You get better at the ABCs through practice. One of our favorite quotes is “amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” Be professional, practice until you can’t get it wrong. Give yourself scenarios you know could happen inside an aircraft, and then practice saying out loud exactly what you would say in a real world situation.
Remember that effective communication is a skill. A skill that can be taught, learned, and practiced.
You’ll quickly see an improvement in your own skill. You may also see an improvement in your less critical communication skill. Maybe even a trend of remembering all names.
That’s it!
I hope this helps you. And I am certain you and your crew are worth the effort you give to learning the ABCs of effective crew communication.
Do you have any tips for Flight Safety Network crews? Share one in the comment section.
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11 replies to "How To Speak Words Your EMS Pilot Will Love"
Ems helicopter nurses rock
Chelsea,
Flight Safety Network agrees with you– and so do I. Just remember it’s about the whole team:
EMTs, Paramedics, Dispatchers,
Nurses, Pilots, Landing Zone Officers,
Flight Communication Specialists, Hospital
Security, Firefighters, Volunteers, Police,
Respiratory Therapists, First Responders,
ER Staff, Specialty Transport Teams,
Trauma Doctors, Mechanics, and
of course, the family and friends who
support these professionals.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Dear Flight Safety Network:
When I can’t remember someones name, I just ask their name and when they get upset!
I say ” no silly your last name so I can add it to my phone.”
This has worked so many times! I have even used this tactic on my pastor. I did tell him and he laughed so hard he fell out of his chair. I even laughed so hard I even had tears in my eyes.
This is just a quick way to think on your feet.
I hope this tactic works for you :0)
Christina,
Kudos to you! That’s a great technique! Thank you for sharing.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
I love the photo for this article
Chelsea,
Thank you. We’re bias of course, but we love all the photos of flight and ground crews.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Awesome….
Cynthia,
Glad you liked the article. Thanks for the feedback!
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
I often ask the person to spell their last name for me. I puts their face with their name as I look straight into their eyes as they spell it for me. Remember the face, remember them spelling their name for me.
Curt,
I like it. Thanks for sharing your technique.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
David R Jankowiak Jr. here is the article I wanted you to read. Check it out!