Fainting, or syncope, is a temporary condition in which a person suddenly loses consciousness for a short period. This happens due to a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain, resulting in a reduced supply of oxygen.
This temporary loss of consciousness can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. That’s why knowing how to provide first aid to someone who has fainted is important for everyone.
Although fainting may seem like a common occurrence, it requires proper care and medical knowledge when assisting someone who has fainted. This is because fainting can be caused by various factors, including potentially serious medical conditions.
Regardless of the cause, there’s no need to panic if you see someone faint while exercising, or during other activities. If you want to learn more about the proper first aid steps for someone who has fainted, check out the explanation below.
Causes of Fainting
Before learning how to help someone who has fainted according to proper medical guidelines, it’s important to understand what can cause fainting. As mentioned earlier, fainting can happen for various reasons. However, the main causes are reduced blood flow and a lack of oxygen or glucose reaching the brain.
In addition to that, fainting can also occur due to exhaustion and certain medical conditions, such as:
- Panic attacks.
- Heart disorders.
- Hypoglycemia.
- A sudden drop in blood pressure due to dehydration or medication side effects.
Symptoms to Watch for When Someone Faints
In general, someone who has fainted may regain consciousness after a short while. However, fainting accompanied by the following symptoms requires medical attention at the nearest health center or hospital:
- Shortness of breath.
- Bluish lips.
- Pale skin.
- Cold skin.
- Seizures.
- Headaches.
- Chest pain.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Confusion or disorientation.
- Fainting caused by a head injury.
First Aid for Someone Who Has Fainted
The most important thing to do when you see someone faint is to stay calm. Keep a clear head and follow these first aid steps for someone who has fainted:
1. Secure the Area
The first step in providing first aid to someone who has fainted is to secure the surrounding area. Make sure there are no potential hazards, such as traffic, sharp objects, or other dangerous surroundings.
2. Lay the Person Down
The next first aid step is to gently lay the person down. If they are breathing normally, carefully move them to a safe, shaded area and lay them down so they can recover.
3. Check Their Responsiveness
To check their level of consciousness, call out to them loudly, tap their shoulder, or gently shake their body. If they do not respond, tap their shoulder and call out to them again to check for a response.
4. Check Their Pulse and Breathing
First aid for someone who has fainted includes checking whether they still have a pulse and are breathing. To do this, check the pulse on the side of their neck while observing the movement of their chest and abdomen. Also, check for any blockage in their airway that may be making it difficult for them to breathe.
If you cannot find a pulse or signs of breathing, immediately begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and call emergency medical services, or take the person to the nearest healthcare facility. If the person who has fainted has external bleeding, use a sterile cloth and apply pressure to the wound to help stop the bleeding while waiting for medical assistance.
5. Contact the Nearest Health Center or Hospital
The final first aid step is to contact the nearest medical professionals. If the person does not regain consciousness after some time, contact the nearest health center or hospital for further medical assistance.
The medical professionals will assess the person’s condition and provide rescue breaths and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if they cannot detect breathing or a pulse.
If you cannot find a pulse during your initial assessment, you can start CPR immediately while waiting for medical help to arrive. This can be especially helpful when the person has fainted due to cardiac arrest, as the longer treatment is delayed, the more heart muscle cells can become damaged.
6. Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
For someone who has fainted and has no detectable pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed. Follow these steps:
- Identify the compression point at the center of the chest.
- Perform 30 chest compressions at a rate of two compressions per second.
- Check the pulse in the neck after every five cycles.
- If the pulse and breathing have returned but the person is still unconscious, place them in the recovery position.
7. Provide a Comfortable Environment
If the person faints on the road, move them and their belongings to a safe area away from traffic. Make sure they have access to fresh air to help maintain an adequate oxygen supply. Don’t forget to lay them down on a flat surface so they can recover more comfortably.
To help with recovery, you can also raise the person’s legs about 30 cm above the level of their chest. This can help improve blood flow to the brain. Don’t forget to loosen any tight clothing to make breathing easier.
8. Offer a Sugary Drink Once They Regain Consciousness
Offering a sugary drink is one of the first aid measures to know when helping someone who has fainted. Although it may seem simple, a sugary drink can help restore energy and raise blood sugar levels once the person has regained consciousness.
Offering a sugary drink to someone who has fainted can also apply to people with diabetes. People with diabetes may experience a significant drop in blood sugar levels, sometimes due to their medication. Therefore, giving them a moderate amount of a sugary drink may still be considered safe.
That’s all you need to know about the proper first aid steps for someone who has fainted. So, there’s no need to panic if you come across someone who has fainted, wherever you are. Simply follow the steps above and contact the nearest medical professionals for further assistance.
Besides offering a sugary drink, you can also provide AQUA Cup. AQUA contains naturally occurring minerals and is safe to drink. Remember, not all water is AQUA! AQUA comes from 19 carefully selected mountain sources across Indonesia, each protected by natural layers that help keep the water free from contamination.
AQUA is a proudly Indonesian product certified by BPOM, Halal, and SNI. Wherever you are, AQUA stays naturally cool, making it refreshing to drink. AQUA is 100% Indonesia, 100% Halal, and 100% Pure.
Let’s get your #AQUADULU ready to keep your body hydrated throughout the day!
Read also: 8+ Signs You're Not Drinking Enough Water & Its Effects
