Blackout: Mobile Phone Off Causes Psychological Stress
Hours without power - and then the mobile phone battery runs low. This was the situation for millions of people in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France due to a blackout. According to an expert, people perceive the loss of communication as one of the most threatening situations ever. "This is a particularly stressful attack on their well-being," said the chief crisis manager of the Austrian Red Cross, Gerry Foitik.
Power Outage: Feeling of Helplessness in a Forced Situation
"It is about the loss of self-efficacy," continued the federal rescue commander. People feel immense helplessness and are stuck in a distressing forced situation. They rely on others to help them out of the crisis - and in this case, among other things, to restore power for charging mobile phone batteries and masts.
On Monday, public life in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France came to a near standstill in many places: people were stuck in elevators, subways, and trains, thousands of travelers were stranded at airports and bus and train stations. Internet and mobile networks went down across the board. In clinics, emergency generators had to step in. Those who relied on digital infrastructure could not work.
Particularly Vulnerable Young Generation
Without constant connectivity, constant communication, and constant information via smartphone, the urban young generation, in particular, proves to be vulnerable in such a situation, said Foitik. He sees more resilience in this case among the rural population.
Basically, the uncertainty about the fate of children, relatives, and friends is a terrible experience for everyone. Under certain circumstances, such experiences could trigger psychological problems, said Foitik, drawing on decades of experience as a rescuer.
Phone Outage During Blackout: Five Tips for Preparation
To avoid losing your nerve, the most important thing is to prepare for such a case. This includes:
Pre-arranging meeting points: Families or friends should know where to meet and wait for each other if they can no longer reach each other. "Explain to your child how to get home with a friend, for example, if you can't pick them up from school and no buses or trains are running," said Foitik. Always keep external batteries like power banks charged. Play out scenarios at home: What no longer works when the power goes out? Have a certain amount of cash at home if paying by credit card or withdrawing from ATMs no longer works.
"The line between paranoia and good preparation is fluid," Foitik admits. For example, he has made it a habit to first walk the marked escape route from the room to the exit when staying in a hotel. If the hotel needs to be evacuated, you feel much safer with this knowledge.
(APA/Red)
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