When accidents and major incidents occur, spontaneous helping efforts are often carried out by individuals with widely varying levels of experience and knowledge. These efforts take place under time pressure, uncertainty, and strong emotional strain, all of which influence both collaboration and the quality of the help provided. At the same time, it is typically those in the immediate vicinity who are able to act before professional resources arrive. By better understanding how people create shared understanding, communicate, and collaborate in these situations, there is significant potential to develop educational materials that strengthen both cooperation and effectiveness in immediate response.
My research is based on studies of how collaboration and sensemaking unfold in early response efforts, as well as how stress, time pressure, and unclear responsibilities influence action. By applying these insights, training and support can be developed that better prepare the public to provide appropriate help and collaborate effectively. In the longer term, this can contribute to ensuring that immediate first aid functions as a resource that strengthens societal resilience and facilitates the professional response to accidents and major incidents.
