In Healthcare, as in most professional settings, people typically speak in a low volume to respect others needs for privacy, concentration, and communication.
The problem with this very natural behavior is that during times of danger we still keep typically our voices down as a reflex. This places everyone in danger. And when you fail to let everyone else know that you are in danger, it places them in danger as well. Since speech is a psychomotor skill, like any other physical skill, we need to practice how to respond verbally under stress.
"Sound Alert and Create Alarm"
In order to get help from others when we need it, we need to both sound alert and create alarm. To create alarm, we need to speak loudly enough to be heard by others behind closed doors, in the next office door, or even down the hall. By creating alarm, we mean using words that inspire others to take action. The point is to choose words that clearly communicate that your are in trouble and need help now--leaving no question in the mind of others that you aren't screaming because of a surprise birthday party or a wining touchdown on the television!
Choosing the right words will inspire people to take right action, motivating to investigate come to your aid. For example, if you are inside a room where someone is threatening you with a pair of scissors, some good word choices are "Please put those scissors, down" to create alarm in others minds, but you have to create alarm by saying it loudly enough to be heard by others. who need to know exactly what kind of danger you are in. Because if they can't hear you--they can't help you! Watch this video to see Sound Alert and Create Alarm in action:
