What to do when a person faints?

Denver 'The Shadow' Layreby — March 17, 2023 in Health & Food

In a mall, suddenly one of the people walking next to you faints. In the middle of taking care of a sinister road, someone collapses nearby. Or in the house, someone very close is unconscious. What to do, how to react, who to call?

First of all, it is necessary to know that, as the Mayo Clinic indicates, fainting occurs when the brain temporarily stops getting enough blood “what causes you to lose consciousness… This loss of consciousness is usually brief.”

After a faint, it is advisable to go to the doctor to verify that everything is in order with the person.
After a faint, it is advisable to go to the doctor to verify that everything is in order with the person. – Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

And while fainting is sometimes not medically significant, other times it indicates a serious disorder, which could involve the cardiac system. “Therefore, you should treat the loss of consciousness as if it were a medical emergency, until the signs and symptoms are relieved, and the cause is identified. Talk to the doctor if you faint frequently, ”says the US entity.

How to react to a faint?

If it is the same person who feels the symptoms of fainting, the recommendation is sit or lie downTo reduce the possibility of fainting again, do not get up too quickly, ”says Mayo Clinic. In the case of sitting, it is suggested to place the head between the knees.

Now, when a collapse situation is witnessed, it is advisable to attend to the situation in the following way.

  1. Place the person face up. If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, it is suggested to raise the legs above the level of the heart, about 30 cm, if possible.
  2. Ensure adequate breathing. It is preferable to loosen belts, collars or other tight clothing.
  3. Wait at least one minute. To reduce the chance that the person will pass out again, it is best to wait for the person to come to. But if the person does not regain consciousness within a minute, call 123 or the local emergency number.
  4. Check if he is breathing. At this point, after one minute and if the person is not breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is started until help arrives or until the person begins to breathe.
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“If the person was injured in a fall due to fainting, treat any bumps, bruises, or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding by applying direct pressure,” the experts add.

How do you do CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

At this point, the responsibility and need to act on time increases. In that sense, it is key to know that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) “is a life-saving technique that is useful in many emergency situations, such as a heart attack or drowning, in which a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped,” says the Mayo Clinic.

In that sense, the American Heart Association recommends beginning CPR by doing strong, rapid chest compressions. This hands-only CPR recommendation applies to both untrained individuals and first responders. And although there are too many variables to take into account, the basic thing to start is to take into account the following aspects.

CPR, children, Getty Images
The chances of saving children’s lives in the first four minutes of a cardiac arrest are high, if those responsible know how to perform resuscitation correctly. – Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
  • Is the person in a safe environment?
  • Is the person conscious or unconscious?
  • If the person appears unconscious, tap or tap their shoulder and ask aloud, “Are you alright?”
  • If the person does not respond and there are more people next door, the tasks can be distributed. Someone to call 123 or the local emergency number. Another person, if there is one, who is in charge of bringing the automatic defibrillator (AED).
  • If you are alone, it is advisable to start by calling 123 or the local emergency number before starting CPR. Also, if there is an AED, bring it.
  • As soon as possible, it is recommended to provide a shock if prompted by the device, and then begin CPR.
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Fundamental Steps of CPR (CAB)

1. Chest compressions. C: compressions

2. Open the airway. TO: airway

3. Rescue breathing. B: breathing

Steps to do CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Steps to do CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation. – Photo: Mayo Clinic

1. Compressions: restore blood flow

Using your hands to press hard and quickly in a specific way on the person’s chest. “Compressions are the most important step in CPR,” adds the Mayo Clinic. The steps to follow are:

  • Lay the person on their back on a firm surface.
  • Kneel next to the person’s neck and shoulders.
  • Place the bottom of the palm (base) of the hand on the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples.
  • Put the other hand on top of the hand that is on the chest. Keep your elbows straight and place your shoulders directly over your hands.
  • Press down on the chest (compresses) at least 5 centimeters, but not 6 centimeters. Use your entire body weight (not just your arms) when doing compressions.
  • Press the chest firmly at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. And let the chest return to its position (retraction) after each compression.
  • At this point, the Mayo Clinic specifies that “if you are not trained in CPR, continue performing chest compressions until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel arrive. If you have been trained in CPR, open the airway and provide rescue breathing.”

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