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If someone needs immediate help with stroke signs, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden weakness, face drooping, speech problems, or confusion — possible stroke requiring immediate emergency care.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112 now. Note when symptoms started. Do not give food or drink.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Face — ask them to smile. One side of the face may droop.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Arms — ask them to raise both arms. One arm may drift down or feel weak.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Speech — ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Speech may be slurred or they cannot find words.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Time — note when symptoms started. Sudden severe headache, confusion, vision loss, or loss of balance are also warning signs.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts. Brain cells die every minute without treatment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fast treatment can limit brain damage. The hospital needs to know when symptoms started.
Check the scene before you approach.
Do not move them unnecessarily unless they are in danger.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do the quick face-arms-speech check if the person is awake.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 immediately — every minute counts.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Look at a clock and remember the exact time symptoms began.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help them sit or lie on their side if they are vomiting or drooling.
When and how to get professional help.
Any sudden face droop, arm weakness, or speech problem needs emergency care within minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You cannot treat a stroke. Recognize signs, call immediately, and note the time symptoms began.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "I think someone is having a stroke. Their face is drooping / arm is weak / speech is slurred."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them the exact time symptoms started — this is critical for treatment decisions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on the line and follow operator instructions.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give food, drink, or medicine by mouth — they may choke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drive them to hospital yourself if an ambulance can come — treatment starts in the ambulance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT wait to see if symptoms improve — a "mini-stroke" can become a major stroke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stroke only happens to old people
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Strokes can happen at any age. Sudden weakness or speech problems in a young person still need emergency care.
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 — Keep them calm and still. Do not leave them alone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unlock doors and gather their ID and medicine list if an ambulance is coming.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If they lose consciousness and stop breathing — start CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Suspected stroke is always an emergency. Clot-busting treatment may be possible only within a few hours of symptom start.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Even if symptoms partially improve, they need hospital evaluation immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Younger patients and bystanders dismiss symptoms and delay calling 112.