Safe Crisis Management
1. What is the primary goal of Safe Crisis Management?
Answer:
To maintain the safety and dignity of all individuals by preventing, de-escalating, and
safely managing crisis situations in a way that minimizes harm.
2. What are the three phases of a crisis according to SCM?
Answer:
Prevention Phase – Identifying triggers and reducing the likelihood of crisis.
De-escalation Phase – Intervening early with calming strategies.
Intervention Phase – Using safe, approved physical interventions only when
necessary.
3. When should physical intervention be used in SCM?
Answer:
Only as a last resort, when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others,
and less restrictive interventions have failed or are not possible.
4. Name two verbal de-escalation strategies used in SCM.
Answer:
Using a calm and respectful tone.
,Offering clear, simple choices to promote cooperation.
5. What is the difference between an antecedent and a trigger in SCM?
Answer:
Antecedent: The environment or situation that exists before a behavior occurs.
Trigger: A specific event or stimulus that leads to the escalation of behavior.
6. Why is personal space important in crisis situations?
Answer:
Maintaining personal space helps reduce perceived threat, lowers anxiety, and
prevents escalation.
7. What is the “least restrictive intervention” principle in SCM?
Answer:
Using the intervention that achieves safety while placing the fewest restrictions on
the person’s freedom and dignity.
8. List three warning signs that a person’s behavior may be escalating.
Answer:
Increased voice volume or aggressive tone.
Restlessness or pacing.
Clenched fists or tense body posture.
9. After a crisis, what process does SCM recommend to reduce future incidents?
Answer:
Debriefing – reviewing the incident with the individual and staff to identify triggers,
evaluate the response, and develop prevention strategies.
, 10. In SCM, what is the safest position for a staff member when a person is
aggressive?
Answer:
At an angle to the person, outside their striking range, maintaining a safe distance,
and keeping an open escape route.
11. What does “time, space, and communication” refer to in SCM?
Answer:
Key de-escalation principles:
Time: Give the person time to calm down.
Space: Allow physical distance.
Communication: Use clear, calm, non-threatening communication.
12. How should staff respond if a person attempts to leave the area during a crisis?
Answer:
Assess if leaving poses a safety risk—if not, allow them space to cool off; if it does,
use the least restrictive means to ensure safety.
13. What is the first priority during a crisis incident?
Answer:
Safety – ensuring no one is harmed.
14. What is the role of body language in de-escalation?
Answer:
Non-threatening, open body language helps convey calmness and reduces tension.
15. Why is documentation important after a crisis?
Answer:
1. What is the primary goal of Safe Crisis Management?
Answer:
To maintain the safety and dignity of all individuals by preventing, de-escalating, and
safely managing crisis situations in a way that minimizes harm.
2. What are the three phases of a crisis according to SCM?
Answer:
Prevention Phase – Identifying triggers and reducing the likelihood of crisis.
De-escalation Phase – Intervening early with calming strategies.
Intervention Phase – Using safe, approved physical interventions only when
necessary.
3. When should physical intervention be used in SCM?
Answer:
Only as a last resort, when there is an immediate threat of harm to self or others,
and less restrictive interventions have failed or are not possible.
4. Name two verbal de-escalation strategies used in SCM.
Answer:
Using a calm and respectful tone.
,Offering clear, simple choices to promote cooperation.
5. What is the difference between an antecedent and a trigger in SCM?
Answer:
Antecedent: The environment or situation that exists before a behavior occurs.
Trigger: A specific event or stimulus that leads to the escalation of behavior.
6. Why is personal space important in crisis situations?
Answer:
Maintaining personal space helps reduce perceived threat, lowers anxiety, and
prevents escalation.
7. What is the “least restrictive intervention” principle in SCM?
Answer:
Using the intervention that achieves safety while placing the fewest restrictions on
the person’s freedom and dignity.
8. List three warning signs that a person’s behavior may be escalating.
Answer:
Increased voice volume or aggressive tone.
Restlessness or pacing.
Clenched fists or tense body posture.
9. After a crisis, what process does SCM recommend to reduce future incidents?
Answer:
Debriefing – reviewing the incident with the individual and staff to identify triggers,
evaluate the response, and develop prevention strategies.
, 10. In SCM, what is the safest position for a staff member when a person is
aggressive?
Answer:
At an angle to the person, outside their striking range, maintaining a safe distance,
and keeping an open escape route.
11. What does “time, space, and communication” refer to in SCM?
Answer:
Key de-escalation principles:
Time: Give the person time to calm down.
Space: Allow physical distance.
Communication: Use clear, calm, non-threatening communication.
12. How should staff respond if a person attempts to leave the area during a crisis?
Answer:
Assess if leaving poses a safety risk—if not, allow them space to cool off; if it does,
use the least restrictive means to ensure safety.
13. What is the first priority during a crisis incident?
Answer:
Safety – ensuring no one is harmed.
14. What is the role of body language in de-escalation?
Answer:
Non-threatening, open body language helps convey calmness and reduces tension.
15. Why is documentation important after a crisis?
Answer:
