Never Let the Fact It Never Happened to You Be the Reason You Do Not Train as If It Could

Before you read this article, let me share a story from my time as a swimmer and lifeguard in high school during the late 1970s. It happened in 1977, a day that left a lasting impact on me.

As a young lifeguard, I was always paired with an older, more experienced one. My partner at the time was incredible—he could swim for what felt like forever and hold his breath longer than anyone I knew. One morning, while we were on duty at the lifeguard stand, he suddenly stood up, grabbed my arm, and said, “Call the main station.” Without another word, he ran straight into the water.

I quickly followed his instructions, calling the main station and grabbing the binoculars to track him. But as I scanned the water, I couldn’t see him anywhere. Moments later, sirens wailed, and vehicles raced to the beach. Other lifeguards sprinted into the water. After what felt like an eternity, I finally spotted his head bobbing in the waves and shouted his location. Several lifeguards swam out to him and helped pull him and the swimmer he had gone in to save back to shore.

Both my partner and the swimmer weren’t breathing when they reached the beach. The team immediately started CPR on both of them. Minutes passed like hours, but eventually, they both began breathing again. My partner was sent home after being checked by our senior lifeguard, and thankfully, he recovered.

A few weeks later, he returned to work and pulled me aside. He asked if I was okay, and I told him I was, as much as anyone could be after something like that. Then, he said something that has stayed with me ever since: “Never get lazy, never forget your training.” Never think that just because you’ve been doing this for years and it hasn’t happened to you, it never will.”

He then admitted what had almost cost him his life that day—he had gone into the water without his rescue tube. He explained that in 15 years as a lifeguard, he’d only had to make two rescues, and he had started to believe it would never happen again. But when he hit the water, something hard struck his chest and knocked the wind out of him. He blacked out before he could help himself or the swimmer.

His story is a powerful reminder: no matter how experienced you are, complacency can be deadly. Always be prepared, always train like it could happen today, and never assume it won’t happen to you.

Safety is not just an abstract concept; it is a necessity in environments where the stakes are high, such as healthcare and security. Many professionals operate under the belief that if they haven’t personally encountered a crisis or threat, they are unlikely to face one. However, this mindset can lead to a dangerous level of complacency. The truth is threats often arise when they are least expected. This is why training as if the worst could happen is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

In healthcare and security settings, professionals are constantly exposed to unpredictable human behavior. The risks may range from verbal aggression to full-blown physical assaults. Yet, many individuals, driven by the false sense of security that comes from their uneventful past experiences, may neglect the importance of rigorous preparation. It is vital to understand that the absence of a previous incident is not evidence of safety—it’s merely a sign of fortune that can change at any moment.

Understanding the Need for Proactive Training

Training is the foundation of preparedness. It equips individuals with the skills and mindset needed to respond to a variety of threats. In the healthcare sector, for instance, verbal de-escalation techniques, proper positioning, and awareness of environmental risks are critical components of daily operations. These skills are not intuitive; they must be taught, practiced, and reinforced regularly.

Consider the Vistelar training program’s emphasis on proactive measures. Situational awareness, for example, requires individuals to constantly scan their surroundings for risks, analyze behavior cues, and prepare for possible outcomes. This vigilance allows for early intervention, which can prevent a minor incident from escalating into a crisis. In a high-pressure hospital environment, this could mean the difference between calming an agitated patient and facing a physical confrontation.

Security professionals face similar challenges. Whether patrolling a facility or responding to an incident, the ability to act decisively under pressure is critical. Training in conflict management, including non-escalation and de-escalation techniques, ensures that security teams are ready to manage threats effectively. Waiting until a situation arises to think through a response is not just impractical—it’s potentially life-threatening.

Complacency as a Silent Risk

The most dangerous risk is often the one you don’t see coming. Complacency can lull even the most experienced professionals into a false sense of security. Statements like "It has never happened here" or "I’ve never had to deal with that before" are red flags for complacency. These attitudes can create blind spots, leaving individuals and organizations vulnerable to risks they never anticipated.

The reality is that safety incidents are not a matter of if but when. In healthcare, the statistics speak for themselves. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers experience workplace violence at rates significantly higher than other industries. Security professionals in hospitals face unique challenges as they manage emotionally charged environments, crowded facilities, and unpredictable behaviors. Without consistent training, these professionals are at a disadvantage when faced with an unexpected crisis.

Real-Life Examples: A Wake-Up Call

Consider a hospital that experienced a violent incident involving an agitated visitor. Security teams were caught off guard because they had never faced such an event before. Staff hesitated, unsure how to respond, and the lack of preparation escalated the situation further. This could have been avoided with regular drills and scenario-based training.

Another example comes from a healthcare facility where a patient unexpectedly became physically aggressive. The nurses present were unprepared to manage the situation, leading to injuries that could have been prevented with proper training in non-escalation and physical safety techniques. These incidents underscore the importance of proactive preparation, even when such events feel improbable.

The Vistelar Approach: Preparedness as a Mindset

Our Vistelar training program champions the principle of preparedness as a mindset. This approach involves adopting the belief that threats are always a possibility, regardless of past experiences. Training programs like Vistelar’s Non-Escalation, De-Escalation, and Crisis Management are designed to instill this mindset in participants.

The emphasis is on continuous learning and practice. Skills such as maintaining situational awareness, reading behavioral cues, and using effective communication are taught through real-world scenarios. Professionals are encouraged to ask themselves: What would I do if this happened to me?  By visualizing potential threats and rehearsing responses, individuals are better equipped to handle emergencies with confidence and control.

Building Organizational Resilience

Organizations play a crucial role in fostering a culture of safety. Leadership must prioritize training as a non-negotiable aspect of operations. This means allocating time and resources for regular workshops, drills, and evaluations. It also involves reinforcing the idea that preparedness is a shared responsibility across all departments.

In healthcare settings, this could mean integrating conflict management training into onboarding processes and conducting periodic refresher courses. Security teams should be involved in interdisciplinary drills to simulate real-life scenarios, such as managing aggressive visitors or responding to a lockdown situation. By making training a routine part of operations, organizations send a clear message: safety is everyone’s job, and complacency has no place here.

A Call to Action

The phrase, “It has never happened to me,” should not dictate how you prepare for the future. Complacency is a luxury that professionals in healthcare and security cannot afford. The stakes are too high, and the consequences of unpreparedness are too severe. By adopting a proactive mindset and committing to regular training, individuals and organizations can create safer environments for all.

Safety is not just a reactive measure—it is a proactive commitment. Never let the absence of past incidents cloud your judgment. Train as if the next crisis is just around the corner because in high-stakes environments, it very well could be.