Short communication: Post-traumatic reactions among rescue personnel before and after exposure to trauma: A brief report

There are only a few studies that check rescue personnel before and after exposure to trauma. Peritraumatic dissociation and post-traumatic reactions were examined among rescue personnel in a rescue course and 36-48 h after exposure to a gas pipe explosion in Tel Aviv. The entire rescue personnel were examined for peritraumatic dissociation and post-traumatic reactions. Only those with prior measurements of peritraumatic dissociation and post-traumatic reactions were eligible for analysis. The results showed that the only significant increase among rescue personnel was in peritraumatic dissociation between before in comparison to after exposure to trauma. No significant change was found in avoidance, intrusion, and post-traumatic symptoms. These results correspond with previous studies that found increased peritraumatic dissociation among rescue personnel as a function of exposure severity. Explanations for these results are discussed.