TeleClass Safety Precautions
Revision 1.0


Background
We offer a support service for graduates of our training, so they can keep up with the rapid changes in this field. This support service usually involves the acquisition of various peak states of consciousness during one or more weekend teleconference calls. Unfortunately, these processes have only been tested on relatively small groups of people, a consequence of the cutting edge nature of this field. This means that there may be unexpected health and safety problems that only occur in some people. Because of these risks, we only do teleconference calls with students who have already taken our initial training and are familiar with our techniques and safety precautions.

Precautions
It is impossible to completely eliminate the risks involved, whether it be in class or on the phone. However, it is possible to minimize them by taking several different kinds of precautions. This involves precautions that the Institute for the Study of Peak States takes, and precautions that students take before the conference calls.

Preparations taken by the ISPS:

  • We limit the range of processes for peak states and abilities to ones that we feel are appropriate for our Level 1 graduates.
  • We have trained healers available during and after the teleconference calls (for 3 days).
  • We verbally explain the known risks at the start of each conference call, and repeat the warning that unexpected problems may occur.
  • We have signed waiver and liability forms so that the risks are understood before the start of the calls.

Preparations required to be taken by the students before the start of the calls:
  • Discussion with family members about the risks of the teleconference processes.
  • Arrangements must be made before the start of the teleconference call to have a 'buddy' check in regularly over the next several days. This buddy must call you - it is not adequate to have you call him or her.
  • This buddy must know what to do in case of either a physical or medical emergency, either the people to contact or certification in emergency crisis intervention.
  • Our student coordinator will record the name and phone number of your 'buddy' as a precautionary measure.
  • Students must not use these processes if they have had suicidal feelings in the last year.

Range of potential problems
  1. Although unlikely, the most dangerous and likely danger is that of activated suicidal impulses.
  2. Because our students have signed waivers saying they don't have any medical conditions that might pose a health risk, we don't have to be as concerned with this possible set of problems. However, this is something that needs to be verified in case the medical status of the student changes.
  3. After this are risks that are completely unexpected, such as the activation of a disease process that might occur in some people when particular developmental events occur.

Suicide Precautions
There is a common misconception about the type of suicidal feelings that can be encountered. Many people assume it is a deep depression or sadness that causes the problem. However, this is not the type of suicidal feelings we are concerned with, as our students are prescreened for this, and can handle this sort of problem with their existing healing tools. Instead, it is the suicidal feelings that make a person take action - and to the person, killing themselves suddenly feels logical. The feeling may not even be accompanied by any other emotional response! This can happen to people who have never felt any suicidal impulse or feelings in their life - prescreening will not prevent this problem.

Thus, the student's 'buddy' should be previously prepared to help the student get help. He can find suicide hotline services, by country, at http://www.befrienders.org/support/helpline.php

Too many people have had not experience with the problem of suicide. Before the session starts, both the 'buddy' and the student must have some exposure to the problem. The following website can assist in understanding the problem: http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/spagebw.htm

Other resources:

http://www.211bigbend.org/hotlines/suicide/suicidal.htm

http://www.stopasuicide.org/

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Suicide_-_Learn_more,_learn_to_help.htm

http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_help.htm