THMG Presents: Hazard Class

Episode 0026

Navigating Death

Featuring: Dr. Alex Jabr

https://www.emergencyresilience.com

INSTAGRAM: @EmergencyResilience

Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, the host engages in a deep and fascinating conversation with Dr. Alex Jabr, a paramedic and expert in death, grief, and bereavement education. Dr. Jabr holds a master's degree in death, grief, and bereavement and a PhD in depth psychology. As the owner of Emergency Resilience, she specializes in educating first responders about critical topics like death notifications, CPR-induced consciousness, and the Lazarus Phenomenon. Throughout the episode, Dr. Jabr shares her insights into the emotional and psychological challenges of first responders dealing with life and death situations, as well as offering practical advice on handling these intense scenarios with compassion and professionalism.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps:

0:00 – 1:08 – Introduction to Dr. Alex Jabr

The host introduces Dr. Alex Jabr, a paramedic, death, and grief educator, and founder of Emergency Resilience. They discuss her qualifications and the critical importance of the topics she teaches.

1:08 – 3:45 – Wheel of Stupid Questions

The segment kicks off with some lighthearted fun as the host and Dr. Jabr answer a quirky question about the calories in chewing gum. The banter offers a brief respite before diving into more serious topics.

3:45 – 6:44 – Dr. Jabr’s Origin Story as a Paramedic

Dr. Jabr shares her journey into paramedicine, starting from her childhood curiosity about ambulances and her initial decision to become an EMT in 2003. She recounts her experiences as one of the few women in the field at the time and how she worked her way up to become a paramedic and educator.

6:44 – 10:26 – Life-Altering Back Injury and Career Shift

Dr. Jabr talks about a serious back injury that ended her career as a paramedic. She discusses the emotional impact of having her career, which had been her identity, taken away due to the injury, and how this led her to shift gears toward education and research in the field of death and grief.

10:26 – 13:07 – Exploring Death and Bereavement Education

The conversation shifts to Dr. Jabr's decision to specialize in death, grief, and bereavement, particularly within the context of first responders. She discusses the challenges first responders face when dealing with patients who are at the end of life and the lack of training on how to handle these delicate situations.

13:07 – 18:38 – Depth Psychology and Its Role in Understanding Grief

Dr. Jabr explains her doctoral program in depth psychology and how it enhances her understanding of grief and human behavior. She explores how unconscious defense mechanisms affect first responders and how understanding these psychological processes can improve care and communication with patients.

18:38 – 23:57 – Lazarus Phenomenon and CPR-Induced Consciousness

The host and Dr. Jabr discuss the Lazarus Phenomenon (auto-resuscitation), a rare but fascinating occurrence where patients who have been declared clinically dead spontaneously return to life. Dr. Jabr explains the phenomenon, including the challenges EMS teams face in handling such cases, and explores the psychological impact on responders when these rare events occur.

23:57 – 31:33 – Ethics and Awareness in CPR and Death

This segment delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by first responders when dealing with CPR-induced consciousness and near-death experiences. Dr. Jabr discusses how CPR can sometimes bring a patient to a conscious state, leading to complex moral and emotional decisions about when to stop resuscitation.

31:33 – 37:53 – Experiences and Stories from First Responders

Dr. Jabr shares real-world stories of CPR-induced consciousness and discusses the strange and unexplainable moments that first responders experience during resuscitation efforts. She talks about how critical it is to recognize these moments and the emotional weight they carry.

37:53 – 47:46 – Death Notification Training

Dr. Jabr emphasizes the importance of death notification training for first responders. She explains the impact of delivering death notifications in a clear and compassionate way and how this can prevent burnout and emotional harm to responders. The conversation also covers how cultural differences and language barriers play a role in death notification.

47:46 – 56:20 – The Difficulties of Death Notifications and Grief

The episode explores the delicate process of delivering death notifications, including the personal challenges responders face when trying to convey this traumatic news. Dr. Jabr shares her insights into how responders can manage the emotional weight of death notifications while offering compassionate support to grieving families.

56:20 – 1:00:07 – Final Thoughts and Resources

Dr. Jabr wraps up the conversation by discussing the resources available through her platform, Emergency Resilience. She encourages listeners to engage in discussions about grief, death, and mental health, and emphasizes the importance of education and support in the EMS community.

Key Moments & Quotes:

On CPR-Induced Consciousness:

"CPR can quite literally induce the consciousness in your patient... they may be able to respond, track, or even have full-blown conversations during cardiac arrest" .

On the Lazarus Phenomenon:

"The Lazarus Phenomenon is where a patient, after being declared dead, suddenly resuscitates without any medical intervention. It’s extremely rare but fascinating" .

On the Importance of Death Notification Training:

"We should get death notification training as a primary in EMT school, paramedic school, and revisit it regularly. It's crucial for both the families and responders" .

On Depth Psychology and First Responders:

"The person who's the biggest jackass in the room is often the one who needs the most love. It’s their defense mechanism, and understanding that has been life-changing for me" .