# Decision-Under-Stress Protocol

One page. Fill in before acting on a consequential decision made while emotionally activated.

## Not For

Genuine emergencies, medical/legal/financial decisions requiring qualified advice, or any situation involving personal safety. If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

## Step 1: Reversible / Irreversible Check

| Type | Default rule |
| --- | --- |
| Reversible | Act sooner; correct later if wrong |
| Costly to reverse | Apply the full delay rule below |
| Irreversible or safety-relevant | Do not decide alone under stress — bring in a named second person first |

**This decision is:** ☐ Reversible ☐ Costly to reverse ☐ Irreversible

## Step 2: Evidence Ledger

**What I actually know (facts, with a source for each):**

-
-

**What I am assuming (guesses about intent, predictions, "probably"/"they must"):**

-
-

For each assumption above: what would confirm it? What would contradict it? Do I currently have that evidence?

| Assumption | Would confirm | Would contradict | Have the evidence now? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  |  |  |  |

## Step 3: Delay Rule

- Reversible: no mandatory delay.
- Costly to reverse: **minimum 24 hours** between "I have decided" and taking the action. Revisit the evidence ledger after the delay.
- Irreversible / safety-relevant: no unilateral action under stress.

**Delay applied:** ______ hours. **Ledger revisited on:** ______

## Step 4: Named Human Reviewer

Decided in advance, not chosen in the moment:

- **Reviewer name:**
- **What I will show them:** the evidence ledger, not just the feeling
- **Their job:** to say "I think you're about to make a mistake" and have me actually listen

## Before Acting, Confirm

- [ ] Reversibility classified
- [ ] Evidence and assumptions separated
- [ ] Delay rule applied in full
- [ ] Reviewer has seen the ledger
- [ ] For medical/legal/financial stakes: a qualified professional has been consulted, not just this sheet