EMS field skills

How to de-escalate a behavioral emergency

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

EMS (NREMT)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Calm words prevent most violent situations. Look for medical causes.

Step by step

  1. Safety

    Police for weapons or violence, exit route, do not block the door. [1]

  2. Calm

    One speaker, low voice, respect space. [1]

  3. Listen

    Acknowledge feelings, offer simple choices. [1]

  4. Medical causes

    Low glucose, low oxygen, head injury, intoxication, withdrawal. [1]

  5. Restraints

    Last resort, per protocol, never face down; monitor breathing. [1]

  6. Document

    Behavior, interventions, monitoring. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. National EMS Education Standards (2021)
  2. NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic)

Facts and steps follow NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic); National EMS Education Standards (2021). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.