3.3.2

When interacting with patients, it is important to be friendly and reassuring. Maintaining eye contact, kneeling down to their level, and listening carefully shows interest in what they have to say. Patrollers should use simple words and make sure the patient understands, rather than just agreeing. It's important to be patient, as it may be difficult to gather the necessary information. Speech impairments do not indicate a lack of understanding. The best way to interact is to be friendly and reassuring to the patient at hand. Some ways to do this are to maintain eye contact, kneel down to their level, listen carefully, and show interest in what the cyclist has to say. All these tactics help the patroller earn the patient's trust. Do not speak to mentally disabled adults as if they were children. Patrollers should use simple words. Be sure the cyclist understands you, not just agreeing with you. Be patient, as it may be hard to draw up the information you need. Do note that speech impairments do not necessarily mean the person cannot understand you.