De-Escalation Technique From a Former Hot Dog Vendor & 911 Operator

As a former 911 operator, downtown hot dog vendor, emergency room worker and certified instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute, I have created a de-escalation technique workshop that is more community based, and is useful in everyday situations. I originally created it to go with my show "No One's Special At The Hot Dog Cart" because of how much being a street vendor taught me, and that is the theme for this, rather than institutional de-escalation. This is a workshop that is based in situations where we cannot escape. These situations can occur in the home, the workplace, on the street, in public transit, in washrooms, anywhere you cannot easily get away. 

I have done it for smaller groups of 15 or less, or large audiences of 40 or more with amazing results. I am still hearing about how it's truly changed how people approach heated moments. It has been crafted to be both effective and compassionate. One never knows what brought a person to rant at you, and some populations don't get the option of having their worst moments in private. De-escalation is emergency health care and increases the chances of a good outcome for an otherwise terrible moment. Participants leave with a wallet card which has helpful phrases, a list of resources by city, and 5 essential de-escalation techniques I have found to be useful.