Faint Accident In Office. Fall From Chair At Workplace

First Aid: what to do when someone passes out

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 16, 2023

When someone passes out, it can be a scary experience. You may need to figure out what to do or how to help

While every situation is different, you can take some general steps to help the person until they wake up or professional help arrives.

Keep reading for more information on what to do when someone passes out.

CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPULMONARY REANIMATION? VISIT THE EMD112 STAND AT THE EMERGENCY EXPO NOW TO FIND OUT MORE

Should I Be Worried if I Faint or someone passes out?

Fainting usually happens because of an abrupt drop in blood pressure.

Reasons for blood pressure drops can be mild or serious.

A fall in blood pressure can be caused by bleeding internal bleeding.

Various heart disorders can also cause an abrupt drop in blood pressure.

A common condition resulting in fainting is known as vasovagal syncope.

It can happen if you strain when having a bowel movement, getting blood drawn, getting an injection, hearing bad news, or even laughing too hard.

Often, it can be triggered by the vagus nerve, which temporarily lowers both heart rate and blood pressure.

These fainting episodes are more common in young people but can also occur in older persons.

Before fainting from vasovagal syncope, a person may feel queasy or break out in a cold sweat. (Harvard Health)

If your blood pressure decreases while standing, you may lose consciousness for a brief moment.

This condition is known as orthostatic hypotension, caused by gravity temporarily drawing blood into your veins.

A person passes out and is over 50 years old

Patients aged 50 and up are frequently admitted for testing as the serious reasons for fainting grow increasingly common in the elderly.

A team of Yale University geriatric specialists has actively examined dizziness and even hypothesized that it is a “Geriatric Syndrome” that can be induced by various factors.

Dizziness that precedes fainting can be caused by multiple medical conditions, including neurological disorders related to brain blood flow, and heart abnormalities.

Many people, particularly the elderly, experience lightheadedness when they stand up too quickly from a lying or seated position.

Heart problems with aging (such as an abnormal heart rhythm or a heart attack), stroke, and a severe drop in blood pressure are more serious conditions that can cause shock.

If you have any of these serious disorders, you will usually have additional symptoms such as chest pain, a racing heart, loss of speech, changes in vision, or other symptoms. (MUSC Health)

THE RADIO FOR RESCUERS IN THE WORLD? VISIT THE EMS RADIO BOOTH AT THE EMERGENCY EXPO

What to Do When Someone Passes Out?

Sit or lie down if you start to feel faint.

Put your head between your legs if you’re sitting.

Don’t stand up too quickly to reduce your probability of fainting again.

Put someone else on their back if they faint. Lift the person’s legs above heart level, preferably by 12 inches (30 centimeters), if there are no wounds and they are still breathing.

Belts, collars, and other constrictive clothing should be adjusted.

Don’t get them up too soon if you don’t want to risk them fainting again.

If the person has not regained consciousness within a minute, call Emergency Number.

Check their breathing. If they aren’t breathing, start CPR. (Mayo Clinic)

THE IMPORTANCE OF RESCUE TRAINING: VISIT THE SQUICCIARINI RESCUE BOOTH AND FIND OUT HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES