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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who briefly lost consciousness from fainting — often after pain, heat, standing too long, or seeing blood — and is now recovering.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
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.
Scene hazards: Hard floor, Crowded area, Hot environment
If they fell from height or hit their head hard, minimize movement and call 112.
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.
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 — 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.
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 — 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.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All fainting is harmless and needs no medical attention
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Simple vasovagal fainting is common, but fainting can also be the first sign of a heart rhythm problem or stroke.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People send the person home without evaluation after a serious underlying cause.
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.