First Aid in Fainting Needs to Know

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:39

People can faint anytime and anywhere. Therefore, providing first aid to unconscious people is not only the duty of doctors and nurses. Everyone needs to know how to give proper help to an unconscious person, so that early treatment can be carried out

Fainting occurs when the brain lacks blood supply, so oxygen and blood sugar intake to the brain is also reduced. In fact, both are needed by the brain to function properly. As a result, there may be a temporary loss of consciousness.

In addition to the reduced flow of oxygen and blood sugar to the brain, fainting can also be caused by fatigue or certain medical conditions and diseases, such as:

• Hypoglycemia
• Heart disorders, such as heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) and heart failure
• Panic attack
• Electrolyte disturbance
• A drastic drop in blood pressure, for example due to orthostatic hypotension or dehydration

Other Symptoms to Watch Out for When Someone Fainted

Fainting can be experienced by anyone and at any time. For example, when the body is too tired, eating late, changing body position too quickly, or when jostling in public transportation.

This condition can trigger a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, so that the blood supply to the brain decreases and causes a decrease in consciousness.

Fainting that is not caused by a serious medical condition is usually harmless and the sufferer will recover on his own after some time. However, fainting needs to be watched out for if it is accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as:

• chest pain
• Shortness of breath or not breathing spontaneously
• irregular heartbeat
• Blue lips
• Pale and cold skin
• Seizure
• Looks confused
• Headache
• Fainted after suffering a head injury

A person who experiences fainting accompanied by some of the above needs to get medical help immediately and be taken to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

First Aid Steps for Fainting People

Treatment of fainting people actually depends on the cause. However, there is a general way that can be done as first aid to a person who has fainted, before the person is helped by a doctor at the hospital.

The following are the proper steps to help someone who has fainted:

• Move the unconscious person to a safe and comfortable location, for example if he faints on the road, try moving the person to the side of the road
• If fainting is caused by the heat, move the person to a more shady place and make sure he/she gets some fresh air
• Ask other people to contact the nearest ambulance or hospital
• Check the condition of the unconscious person, call the person and see if he or she can respond or answer the call
• Also note if the person can breathe and there is a pulse in his neck
• Position in a supine position and elevate the legs about 30 cm higher than the chest, to restore blood flow back to the brain. If you faint while sitting, lay the person on the floor or a flat surface
• Don't forget to loosen his clothes, so he can breathe easier and more comfortable
• When he wakes up, give him a sweet drink, such as sweet tea, to raise his blood sugar and restore the energy his body needs
• If he vomits, tilt his head so he doesn't choke and the vomit doesn't hit him
• If the person remains unconscious for several minutes, is not breathing, or has no pulse, give artificial respiration and CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive

People who have regained consciousness from fainting are advised not to stand up too quickly. He needs to be seated or rest for at least 15-20 minutes, so that the fainting doesn't recur.

Ask if she still has symptoms, such as shortness of breath, headache, weakness, or difficulty moving certain body parts.

Don't delay to immediately take him to the emergency room of the nearest hospital and get help from a doctor, if the fainted person complains of some of the symptoms above, is pregnant, has a head injury, or shows other symptoms, such as confusion, blurry vision, difficulty speaking, fever, or seizures.

If you see directly someone who is unconscious, give first aid to the unconscious person in the above ways, while waiting for medical help to arrive.