Fainting¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness, usually because less blood reaches the brain. This page shows you how to help someone who has fainted or feels about to faint, and when it is an emergency.
Do this now¶
- If you can, catch the person and ease them to the floor so they do not fall and hurt their head.
- Check that they respond and are breathing normally.
- Lay them on their back and raise their legs about 30 centimeters (12 inches), for example on a bag or chair.
- Loosen tight clothing, and give them fresh air.
- Call your local emergency number if they do not wake within a minute or if any danger sign below applies (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom).
Check the person¶
Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly if they are all right. If they do not respond, shout for help, tilt the head back, lift the chin, and look and listen for breathing for up to 10 seconds.
If they are not breathing normally, call for emergency help and start CPR. A person who is breathing normally but does not wake is an emergency too.
If they wake up¶
Most people come around within about 30 seconds once lying flat. Keep them lying down for several minutes. Raising the legs helps blood return to the head.
When they wake, tell them what happened and stay with them. Do not let them stand up quickly. Help them sit up slowly, then stand after they feel better. If they are alert and able, give a cool drink of water.
... warning "Do not give food or drink to someone who is not fully awake" Wait until they are alert and sitting up. Never put anything in the mouth of a person who is unconscious.
If they do not wake quickly¶
... danger "Treat it as an emergency" If the person does not wake up within about a minute, call your local emergency number. If they are breathing, lay them on their side in the recovery position and keep checking their breathing until help arrives. If they stop breathing normally, start CPR.
Call for emergency help if¶
- they are not breathing normally, or cannot be woken
- they have chest pain, a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat
- they have trouble speaking, weakness on one side, or a drooping face (see stroke)
- they are shaking or jerking (see seizures)
- they fainted while exercising or lying down
- they have hurt their head or been badly injured in a fall
- they are pregnant, or have diabetes or heart disease
- they do not seem to be fully back to normal
- they have severe headache, or fainted without warning
When someone feels faint¶
Warning signs include dizziness, pale or sweaty skin, blurred vision, nausea, and ringing in the ears. Have the person sit down with their head between the knees, or lie down with the legs raised. This often prevents the faint.
Common causes¶
Fainting is often harmless. Common triggers include standing up too fast, heat, dehydration, hunger, pain, fear, the sight of blood, or standing still for a long time. Fainting can also be a sign of a heart or other medical problem. See heat illness if heat may be the cause.
Anyone who has fainted should see a doctor, even if they recover quickly, especially if it has happened before or without a clear trigger.
Prevent fainting¶
- Drink enough fluids, especially in hot weather
- Eat regular meals
- Stand up slowly after sitting or lying
- Sit or lie down at the first warning signs
- Avoid standing still for a long time in the heat
... note "Take a course" A Red Cross or similar first aid course teaches you to check a person who has collapsed and to give CPR, with practice.