How to Help Someone Who Has Fainted
Lie them on their back. If they are actively fainting or seem like they are about to faint, help them to the ground. They should either lie on their back or sit on the ground with their head between their knees. If the person faints and sustains an injury, move them as little as possible.
Raise their legs if uninjured. Raising their feet 12 inches above their head will help restore blood flow to the brain.
Check for breathing and pulse. If the person stops breathing or you can’t feel their pulse, administer CPR and call 911.
Loosen tight clothing. Make sure clothing isn’t restricting blood flow or breathing.
Stay with them. You should stay with the person to make sure they don’t stop breathing, and to make sure they stand up slowly.
What Causes Fainting?
Fainting occurs when someone experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure, causing the brain to not get enough blood, resulting in a short loss of consciousness. If someone around you faints, you should care for them as described above and then talk to them to see if they need a doctor. There are a lot of reasons as to why someone might faint, these include:
- Overheating. When people get hot, blood vessels expand, which drops blood pressure, this can eventually lead to fainting.
- Overexertion. Strenuous exercise can result in blood vessels expanding and increase the brain’s need for oxygen. Pushing yourself too hard can result in fainting.
- Medical conditions. Diabetes and epilepsy can cause fainting.
- Standing up too fast. When people sit, their blood pressure decreases because the body has to work against gravity less. Standing up quickly doesn’t let the body properly adjust to the gravity, and forces blood away from the brain.
- Lack of food or water. The body needs food and water to function properly. If you’re hungry your blood sugar will be low, causing your brain to not get enough energy, resulting in fainting. Similarly, water is needed for every body function.
Other Ways to Help
Keep them calm when they wake up. Talk to the person gently and use calming language. Explain that they fainted and ask if they want to see a doctor.
If they overheated. There are two options.
- If the person only fainted for a few seconds or was about to faint, get them inside or somewhere cool. Offer them small sips of water until they start to feel better, then gradually increase water intake. Electrolyte replenishers are also very effective. A comprehensive heat stress kit should include electrolyte replenishers, cold packs, emergency water and food. Slowly give the person water and food until they start to feel better.
- If the person fully loses consciousness outside. Get them somewhere cool and call 911, they may have suffered or may be suffering from heat stroke. If they wake up before emergency services, give them small sips of water until help arrives.
If they have medical conditions. Call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.
Offer small sips of water or small bites of food. It is important to go slowly so their body doesn’t react negatively to the food or water.
Was it Fainting or Losing Consciousness?
Fainting should only last for a few moments. If the person stays unconscious for longer than two minutes, then the procedures change. If they lose consciousness, call 911 and check for breathing and a pulse. If they are breathing and their pulse is fine, and you don’t suspect a spinal injury gently toll them onto their side. Position their top leg so both the hip and knee form right angles. Then gently tip their head back to keep their airway open.
Stay with the person until help arrives, making sure you pay attention to their breathing and pulse. If at any time they stop breathing or their pulse stops, roll them onto their back and begin administering CPR.
Should You Use Smelling Salts?
Smelling salts, or ammonia inhalants provide a very abrasive smell that can wake up a fainted or unconscious person. Smelling salts should only be used for someone who faints and doesn’t have a medical condition or has suffered an injury while fainting. People who are exposed to an ammonia inhalant tend to jolt or have some other form of physical reaction. If the person is injured, then an ammonia inhalant may cause a physical reaction and make the injury worse.
When someone faints, the most important thing you can do is get them on their back and stay with them. Fainting is usually not serious unless the person hits their head or back on the way down or has a medical condition. Staying by the person’s side can help them stay calm, realize what may have caused them to faint, and help them address the issue.
