All of us experience moments when we are under pressure and need to perform to a high standard. While the right level of pressure enhances our performance, excessive pressure leads to cognitive overload, stress and compromises our ability to perform. How can we own the pressure to achieve peak performance?

Drawing on 20 years of leadership experience in high pressure emergency medical and rescue situations, the author describes the consequences of pressure, both positive and negative, and teaches the strategies we need to attain states of peak performance. Using first-hand accounts of high-pressure situations within emergency medicine, the book covers relevant aspects such as cognitive aids, teamwork, organisational culture and tactical leadership. It also describes how we can use different training and simulation techniques to prepare teams to deal with excessive pressure. It will appeal to doctors, ambulance clinicians, firefighters, military personnel, rescue teams and business leaders as well as anyone hoping to improve their own performance during high-pressure situations.