Good Samaritan: Simple Guide To Deal With A Fainted Person
A person usually faints because there is an inadequate amount of oxygen being sent to the brain. The following guide will help you prepare, just in case you are ever next to a person who faints.
Look for Signs
Knowing that a fainting spell may hit the person you are with might help you deal with the situation better. The following are a few pre-fainting symptoms the person might experience:
- Dizziness, or they may be lightheaded.
- The person might see little white or black dots. Blurry or tunnel vision are common symptoms as well.
- The person might seem sweaty or feel very hot.
- An upset stomach might also be a sign.
You should have the person sit down or lay down should he or she experience any of the aforementioned signs. Instruct the person to put his or her head in between his or her knees. This should help rush blood to the brain before fainting. You might want to give him or her water or something sugary, as dehydration and low-blood sugar are common faint-culprits.
Steps to Take if Fainting Occurs
- The first step is to simply catch the person who is fainting and help him or her fall down slowly.
- Lay the person on his or her back. Check to see if the person is breathing. Call 911 immediately, especially if he or she is not breathing.
- You should elevate the legs pass heart level to rush blood to the brain.
- Loosen any clothes, jewelry or other objects that might be obstructing airway passages. This can include things like tight-fitted shirts, ties, belts or necklace.
Performing CPR
Remember this guide does not replace formal training, but should help during an emergency, especially if no one certified is around.
Steps To Perform CPR:
- Pinch the nose of the fainting victim.
- Place your palm over the victim's forehead. Push down on his or her forehead slightly to tilt it. Use your other hand to hold his or her chin up.
- Connect your mouth to the victim's mouth, and make sure the seal between the two of you is tight.
- Breath normally and blow air into your victim for 1 minute. Observe his or her chest, as this blow of air should move the victim's chest upwardly. Tilt his or her head more should you fail to see the victim's chest expand, and try again. Only give 2 quick blows of air at a time.
- Kneel by the victim's chest. Interlock your fingers with one of your palms over the back of your other hand.
- Place the heel of your hand on the victim's breastbone, which is right in the middle of your victim's chest in between the breasts.
- Keep your arms straight as you press down on his or her breast quickly and hard. You want to press down about 2 inches down on the victim's chest.
- Let your victim's chest return to normal after every press you do. Do this 30 times before giving 2 more breaths to your victim. Continue this cycle until the person regains consciousness or the medics come to help.
Remember these steps are specific to adults because children and newborns need to be treated differently. Take your victim to the emergency room should he or she regain consciousness. Whatever happened to the victim needs to be investigated as soon as possible. To learn more, visit Modern Emergent Care.
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