Fainting

hellonotarealdr
Jun 10
2 min read

Updated: Jun 23

Fainting refers to a brief loss of consciousness that happens when not enough blood is reaching the brain. This can happen for a variety of reasons - stress, dehydration*, exhaustion, pain, hunger, etc. Some people also faint if they have been sitting for a long time and then stand up too quickly.

Stretch!

Fainting is sometimes a protective reflex — it forces the person to fall and lie down, which restores brain blood flow faster than if they stayed upright.

Signs and Symptoms

Brief loss of response causing the casualty to fall to the ground
Slow pulse
Pale, cold skin
Sweating
Feeling too hot or cold
Dizziness

What to do

Monitor the casualty - they should wake up within a few minutes.
Advise them to stay lying down.
Ask people to step back so they can get fresh air.
Elevate their feet with a cushion under them.
If they have a head injury from the fall, they may be confused, dizzy, or nauseous. You can put them in the recovery position until they feel better.
Ask them to sit up very slowly when they feel able to do so.
Raise their blood sugar - offer them an energy drink, chocolate bar, etc.

Summary:

Fainting is when someone suddenly falls unconscious. It can happen from hunger, dehydration, or even from standing up too fast. The person should wake up very quickly, but you should make sure they stay lying down until they are completely ready to sit up. Put them in the recovery position if they are dizzy, confused, or keep fainting.

Glossary:

Casualty: the person that's hurt in a first-aid scenario.

Dehydration: not drinking enough water.

For Older Learners:

Use these questions to challenge yourself!

Why is it important to elevate the legs of someone who has fainted, rather than their head?
Imagine a school wants to ban energy drinks. How could you argue that they should still be accessible in the first aid kit?
Why might fainting be evolutionarily advantageous, despite being dangerous in some modern environments?