Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Mindful Responder: The First Responder's Field Guide to Improved Resilience, Fulfillment, Presence, & Fitness--On & Off the Job

Managing One’s Mind in the Middle of Chaos: An Essential Book for First-Responders

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2019

In many warrior cultures, mindfulness training was a given. For example, Classical Japanese martial traditions have specific methodologies to help keep one centered and effective while in a battle. Furthermore, there were methods of addressing PTSD (rituals to keep the ghosts of those one killed in their grave) and other rituals on facing one’s fears and turning them into power. Until recently, this was lost to Western military and first responder culture. In Mindful Responder, Coates takes a major step in returning this mental technology to those who truly would benefit from it - our police, EMTs, firefighters and other first responders. Coates has a light touch as a writer - he is informal and personable. He includes excellent examples from cutting edge researchers - just enough information to make his points clear and buttress them with current knowledge. He is respectful, writing as an outsider to the first responder professions, but as a dedicated supporter who clearly wishes the best for first responders. In his presentation of mindfulness, he very effectively balances the perspective that such practice (meditation) will very possibly make one more effective at one’s job with a not really conflicting perspective that it will make one more resilient in the face of trauma. Mindfulness and meditation can be a ‘hard sell’ to individuals whose professional lives shift from calm and boredom to sudden action in the midst of chaos, danger, and perhaps most debilitating, public attacks and even lack of support from one’s own organization. A knee-jerk response from some can be “I don’t have time for that,” or “How can sitting staring into space help deal with what I see and go through?” Coates cuts through these complaints by offering methods that take only moments, that still serve to restore psychological equilibrium, even while in the middle of one’s shift. This book is exemplary in its concern for the well-being of first responders and equally, how attending to strengthening one’s mind (and literally, one’s brain) through mindful practices can enhance one’s effectiveness in ensuring public and team safety.

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Jim R

Personal wellness, priceless!

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

Crawford’s book is, to use a baseball analogy, a Grand Slam!

Many departments around our nation are becoming more concerned about officer wellness. Wellness isn’t just physical. It is mental as well, which is often overlooked. I know this is a book which can get officers to that point. I hope that many trainers, police chiefs and Sheriffs buy this book; encourage their personnel to preach this book in the police academy and individual officers practice the message of this book. This is a book which will help officers and other first responders mentally survive the many bad things they’ll see and deal with during their career.
If all first responders take to heart the lessons learned in Crawford’s book, I firmly believe there will be less suicides of those who serve; and that is wellness achieved on and off duty and into retirement!

4 people found this helpful

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Dan Greene

Wish I had this book years ago!

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

I wish I had this book 23 years ago. I can only imagine how useful it would have been. Improved health, improved relationships, and improved self. Crawford does a fine job relating to the LEO. Encouraging us to be more aware of how connected our minds are to our overall health. There's no more room for machismo anymore in LE. This book helps guide all of us to a healthier place.

3 people found this helpful

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Jim Schlicher

Awesome

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book!!!

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Nick Selby

A long-overdue addition to the law enforcement officers' library

Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019

My already heavily-dog-eared copy of this exceptional book has already given me so much. At random I opened to a box on Living with Pain, something I'd experienced myself and never considered how important is is to others: Crawford discusses the ramifications of living with chronic pain, and the importance of being mindful of its effects on everything in our lives. As I read through the book, I found - though I must admit I was highly skeptical of the idea at first - that this is not a book that presumes we're all going out to buy muumuus, wind-chimes, and incense, but rather a book that helps us gain a better understanding of the mental and physical pressures we experience as first responders, and through that better understanding, practical tools to stay on top of our game. Far from the kind of "Close-your-eyes-and-count-to-ten," school of non-cops and non-firefighters telling cops and firefighters how to do their jobs, this book is highly respectful - reverential, even - of the jobs we do, and provides actionable, considered, thoughtful, and effective tools to help us do the job better. I am so happy I read this.

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Tex 4230

A must for the modern LEO’s duty.belt and go bags of any first responders.

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019

Finally we have a basic mindfulness field guide for first responders. Mindfulness is on a collision course with LEOs and first responders alike and Coates has provided the POI to make a smooth positive transfer to the healthy change for those with open mind. Most old police and fire hands embrace change with about as much enthusiasm as getting our backs waxed (the men).
We have known that we must train out bodies and physical sills to survive: Coates’ guide makes easy to understand that training our brains and tuning awareness is just as important. Crawford’s book references modern science and basic techniques that will improve performance, resilience, health, and your biological responses to stress, and even burnout. He references many of the renowned teachers , and practitioners that the are leaders the mindfulness charge here in the West.
Crawford’s guide is easy to read and unlike most authors or teachers of mindfulness/meditation,, he does not take the reader down any rabbit holes of emptiness or cosmic consciousness. I live and work in the Deep South and have shared this book with a few co-worker. Its starting to look like I won’t get it back, so luckily I have kindle version too. Sadly In the south there is a lack of open-mindedness (also being in the “Bible Belt”) which has long been my obstacle when trying to share or mentor participation in mindfulness programs. Coates’ guide being accepted down this way is testimony to his presentation. Sharing the history and science for those who practice basic mindfulness he clearly covers the techniques for anyone looking to improve their ability to serve, survive , and cultivate awareness and well being (in and out of uniform). I can strongly recommend Crawford’s field guide to all first responders and supervisors. We need all the best tools and equipment to do our jobs well and Coates provides the tools ya can’t get from Gall’s Stay safe.

Sgt. S. I. Perron -
- Port Arthur, Texas PD -24 years
- Author of The Mindful Officer column -
- Voluntarily teaches/coaches basic Mindfulness techniques over 9 years.

2 people found this helpful

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Richard Hough

The Mindful Responder is important for ALL first responders

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2019

In this readable and impactful book, Crawford Coates clearly lays out the mind-body-career connection that every person working in public safety should be concerned with. Understanding the concept and relevance of "mindfulness" will improve what you do and how you approach your work, pursue your career, and care for your family and yourself. The book is for first-line personnel - but not just. Every trainer, supervisor, and administrator would benefit from the lessons and illustrations that Mindful Responder provides!
Dr. Richard Hough, professor/trainer/consultant

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EditorLOM

Making a Difference for Those Who Serve

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019

What a great book and so very needed during these challenging times. Policing was never easy but I truly believe it has never been more difficult. Mindfulness is proving itself to be the emotional equivalent of body armor and Crawford's book makes it tangible and practical. Great layout with easy to understand examples and vignettes from people who have truly been there, done that. I love the way he uses contrasts that are so visual and on point that you'll find yourself smiling and saying, "I get that." Thank you, Crawford for what you've done. This book will save lives and careers. Highly recommended.

2 people found this helpful

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John Von Behren

MUST READ FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT!

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2019

GREAT BOOK! DEDICATED TO HELPING US BE OVERALL HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL IN OUR CAREERS

2 people found this helpful

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