Vicarious Trauma- what is it?

I have been asked on many occasions to reenact a fatality onboard a yacht, for the purpose of training. The first time we tried it, it was too close to home and even I suffered the consequences. I could not work out why I was so emotional after role playing. My nervous system was acting like I had really been at a real life resuscitation.

I couldn’t understand what was going on with my body, or why….

Or let’s take the more recent Charlie Kirk scenario, so many people who never met him are absolutely gutted, why?

Vicarious Trauma.

What is vicarious trauma?

A cumulative psychological impact that occurs when you’re repeatedly exposed to others’ trauma—stories, images, crises, and aftermaths. It differs from burnout (workload-driven exhaustion) and compassion fatigue (emotional depletion), though they can overlap.

The classic definition (Pearlman & Saakvitne) describes a transformation in the helper’s inner world through empathic engagement with trauma material. 

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Why it happens (the brain and body)

Humans are wired to share and regulate affect. Empathy involves shared neural networks (e.g., anterior insula, anterior cingulate) plus top-down control—not just “mirror neurons” alone. Over-exposure can keep the alarm system (amygdala–HPA axis) primed, driving hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, and intrusive imagery even when the danger wasn’t “yours.” 

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How it shows up at sea (crunchy, real examples)

• Death onboard (yours or another yacht). News of a sudden fatality in the marina ripples through crews who replay “what if that were us?” Intrusive images and sleep disruption are common STS/VT features. 

• Prolonged resuscitation/medical emergencies. Hours of CPR with an adverse outcome can anchor intrusive recall and moral distress in those who treated, witnessed, or supported. 

• Ethical violations / power abuse. Witnessing exploitative or abusive behaviour by guests or employers can produce moral injury—a VT-adjacent construct associated with guilt, shame, and anger. (Evidence base emerging; treated as a high-risk context.) 

• Global suffering in port. Repeated exposure to poverty/refugee crises and marine rescues can accumulate as secondary traumatic stress (STS). 

• Crew injustice and bullying. Observing a colleague being humiliated or unfairly treated is an exposure that can drive VT symptoms and degrade team cohesion. 

Common signs: intrusive thoughts, emotional numbing or cynicism, compassion fatigue, irritability, loss of empathy, sleep disturbance, somatic complaints. These mirror PTSD-spectrum symptoms in secondary traumatic stress research. 

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What actually helps (and what to avoid)

1) Name it, normalize it. Telling crew “this is a known response to exposure” reduces shame and isolation. 

2) Debrief—but do it wisely.

• The evidence on single-session psychological debriefing/CISD is mixed, with some reviews warning of ineffectiveness or potential harm when used universally and immediately after events. Avoid compulsory, single-session, one-size-fits-all debriefs. 

• Safer alternatives: trauma-informed peer support, ongoing check-ins, and Psychological First Aid (PFA) principles (safety, calming, connection, efficacy, hope). Use structured debriefs as part of broader programs (CISM/TRiM) only when delivered by trained practitioners and with consent. Evidence is heterogeneous—benefits depend on context and method. 

3) Boundaries that protect care. You can care without carrying everything. Teach practical boundary language and shift patterns to prevent constant emotional labour. (Organizations that train and supervise for STS see better outcomes.) 

4) Recovery rituals that down-regulate. Brief breathwork, prayer/faith practices, movement, time on land/green space, journaling—these support autonomic reset. Pair with sleep hygiene and nutrition basics. (General stress-physiology and STS guidance.) 

5) Professional backup. Offer confidential access to trauma-informed clinicians for those with persistent symptoms (intrusions, avoidance, arousal) or functional impairment. 

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Leadership at sea (what you model becomes culture)

Captains, medics, officers often carry the heaviest invisible load. Your job isn’t to absorb silently; it’s to create conditions where trauma is processed, not buried: routine check-ins, protected time for supportive conversations, clear pathways to clinical support, and policies that deter bullying and ethical violations. Trauma shared is trauma lightened. 

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Final word

Vicarious trauma is the hidden cost of bearing witness at sea. It leaves no visible scar yet reshapes physiology and worldview if ignored. But it’s also proof of humanity—you were affected because you cared. The antidote is not hardening; it’s naming, sharing, and recovering together—deliberately, and over time. 

Next Tuesday at 7pm CET I will be doing a free webinar on psycholgical safety and first aid at sea (which also applies on land and any remote, extreme or harsh environment)

Reach out for details!

This is part of my Psychology at Sea Series.
You’ll find references and further reading in comms.