HC0026 - Navigating Death Featuring: Dr. Alex Jabr

THMG Presents: Hazard Class Episode 0026Navigating DeathFeaturing: Dr. Alex Jabr

https://www.emergencyresilience.com

INSTAGRAM: @EmergencyResilience

Episode Overview:In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, the host engages in a deep and fascinating conversation with Dr. Alex Jabr, a paramedic and expert in death, grief, and bereavement education. Dr. Jabr holds a master's degree in death, grief, and bereavement and a PhD in depth psychology. As the owner of Emergency Resilience, she specializes in educating first responders about critical topics like death notifications, CPR-induced consciousness, and the Lazarus Phenomenon. Throughout the episode, Dr. Jabr shares her insights into the emotional and psychological challenges of first responders dealing with life and death situations, as well as offering practical advice on handling these intense scenarios with compassion and professionalism.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps:0:00 – 1:08 – Introduction to Dr. Alex JabrThe host introduces Dr. Alex Jabr, a paramedic, death, and grief educator, and founder of Emergency Resilience. They discuss her qualifications and the critical importance of the topics she teaches.1:08 – 3:45 – Wheel of Stupid QuestionsThe segment kicks off with some lighthearted fun as the host and Dr. Jabr answer a quirky question about the calories in chewing gum. The banter offers a brief respite before diving into more serious topics.3:45 – 6:44 – Dr. Jabr’s Origin Story as a ParamedicDr. Jabr shares her journey into paramedicine, starting from her childhood curiosity about ambulances and her initial decision to become an EMT in 2003. She recounts her experiences as one of the few women in the field at the time and how she worked her way up to become a paramedic and educator.6:44 – 10:26 – Life-Altering Back Injury and Career ShiftDr. Jabr talks about a serious back injury that ended her career as a paramedic. She discusses the emotional impact of having her career, which had been her identity, taken away due to the injury, and how this led her to shift gears toward education and research in the field of death and grief.10:26 – 13:07 – Exploring Death and Bereavement EducationThe conversation shifts to Dr. Jabr's decision to specialize in death, grief, and bereavement, particularly within the context of first responders. She discusses the challenges first responders face when dealing with patients who are at the end of life and the lack of training on how to handle these delicate situations.13:07 – 18:38 – Depth Psychology and Its Role in Understanding GriefDr. Jabr explains her doctoral program in depth psychology and how it enhances her understanding of grief and human behavior. She explores how unconscious defense mechanisms affect first responders and how understanding these psychological processes can improve care and communication with patients.18:38 – 23:57 – Lazarus Phenomenon and CPR-Induced ConsciousnessThe host and Dr. Jabr discuss the Lazarus Phenomenon (auto-resuscitation), a rare but fascinating occurrence where patients who have been declared clinically dead spontaneously return to life. Dr. Jabr explains the phenomenon, including the challenges EMS teams face in handling such cases, and explores the psychological impact on responders when these rare events occur.23:57 – 31:33 – Ethics and Awareness in CPR and DeathThis segment delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by first responders when dealing with CPR-induced consciousness and near-death experiences. Dr. Jabr discusses how CPR can sometimes bring a patient to a conscious state, leading to complex moral and emotional decisions about when to stop resuscitation.31:33 – 37:53 – Experiences and Stories from First RespondersDr. Jabr shares real-world stories of CPR-induced consciou