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If someone needs immediate help with fainting episode, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who briefly lost consciousness from fainting — often after pain, heat, standing too long, or seeing blood — and is now recovering.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Lay them flat, raise legs, check breathing. Call 112 if they stay unconscious or hit their head.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — They went limp and collapsed briefly, then regained consciousness within a minute or two.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — They may look pale, sweaty, and confused right after waking.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Danger signs: stays unconscious over 1 minute, chest pain, seizure-like jerking, head injury, or repeated fainting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Breathing should return to normal quickly once they are awake.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fainting (syncope) happens when blood flow to the brain drops briefly. Vasovagal fainting is common — triggered by pain, fear, heat, dehydration, or standing too long.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fainting can also signal a serious heart problem, stroke, or low blood sugar. Treat unusual episodes seriously.
Check the scene before you approach.
If they fell from height or hit their head hard, minimize movement and call 112.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If still unconscious — lay them flat and raise legs. Check breathing for 10 seconds.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If not breathing normally — call 112 and start CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If awake — help them lie down until fully alert.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep legs elevated until color returns and they feel less dizzy.
When and how to get professional help.
Call 112 if unconscious more than 1 minute, repeated fainting, chest pain, pregnancy, or head injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most simple faints resolve with lying down and leg elevation. Call for help if anything seems unusual or they do not recover quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if: unconscious over 1 minute, not breathing normally, head injury, chest pain, pregnancy, diabetes, or repeated fainting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Someone fainted. They are now awake and breathing" or "still unconscious" as appropriate.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — When in doubt, call — the operator can help you decide.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT slap them or pour water on their face to wake them.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let them stand up quickly — they may faint again.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume fainting is harmless if they are elderly, pregnant, have heart disease, or hit their head.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All fainting is harmless and needs no medical attention
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Simple vasovagal fainting is common, but fainting can also be the first sign of a heart rhythm problem or stroke.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Infant cardiac arrest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An infant under 1 year who is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Child cardiac arrest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Their heart may have stopped.
Adult cardiac arrest
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Their heart may have stopped pumping blood.
Chest pain / heart attack
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person with sudden, severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread to the arm, jaw, or back — possible heart attack.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loosen belts, collars, and move them to a cooler spot if heat was a factor.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once fully alert, help them sit up slowly — not all at once.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Offer small sips of water only if fully awake and not nauseous.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — First-time fainting in an older adult, anyone with heart disease, or fainting with exercise needs medical evaluation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Head injury from the fall, pregnancy, or staying unconscious — call 112 immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People send the person home without evaluation after a serious underlying cause.