Everyone should learn the first aid care for fainting because it is a situation that occurs frequently and can happen anywhere for a variety of reasons. Fainting is a sudden loss of consciousness that may take a short time. In most cases, people regain consciousness within a minute or two after fainting. In order to prevent further complications, the first aid care for fainting you should administer before emergency service arrives are listed below.
Safety first:
- If you notice a person starting to faint, try to catch him or her and slowly lower the person to the ground.
- If the person is larger than you avoid getting into the situation as it might be hazardous for you.
- ensure that you lay the person flat on his or her back
- Ensure the surroundings where the victim is laying is free of harm
- Observe for the following and if present call emergency service immediately.
- Has blue lips or face
- An irregular or slow heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Is difficult to awaken
- Acts confused
- Elevate the person’s legs to restore blood flow to the brain
- Allow the person lie down for 10-15mins to give room for blood flow to the heart
Revive the person
- Shake the person vigorously, tap briskly, or yell.
- Make sure to remove any tight clothing
- Fan the victim with fresh air or give room for ventilation
- If fainting happens in a crowded place, make sure to tell people to back up so as not make matters worst
- If patient doesn’t regain consciousness, assess pulse at the side of the neck because that is where it would be the strongest.
- Use your thumb and third finger to feel the pulse near the windpipe
- Keep patients leg raised to further improve blood flow
- Initiate CPR if no pulse is found, you can do this by:
- Kneel next to the person.
- Place the heel of one hand at the center of the person’s chest.
- Place the other hand on top of the first.
- Be sure not to bend your elbows.
- Use your whole upper body weight and compress on the person’s chest.
- The chest must be compressed as you push straight down by at least 2 inches.
- Push down on the chest at about 100 compressions each minute
- Continue chest compressions until EMS arrives and takes over.
- Stay with patient till help comes
- If victim gains consciousness, give water and/or food once stable; food and water will help revive him/her. Dehydration and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) are common causes of fainting.
- Encourage patient to lie down for some time as he/she might want to get up quickly.
- Reassure victim and assist further where necessary