First aid for fainting -- what you should do when someone faints

What to do if someone faints? Here are a few tips from our expert. Click to know.

Fainting usually occurs due to a temporary, inadequate blood supply to the brain. While there are numerous reasons why people faint, not many know what to do if a person faints. So here are a few first-aids tips from our expert Dr Pradip Shah, Consultant Physician at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai you must follow if you faint or come across a person who has fainted. Here are three common causes of fainting explained.

1. Firstly, make the person lie in a supine position (lying straight on the back) and elevate the legs as it helps in improving blood flow to the brain.

2. Do call for assistance if you are too scared or are clueless about what to do. If the place is crowded, disperse the crowd and move the person to a well-ventilated place.

3. If the person is wearing tight clothes, loosen the clothes. Loosen the belts, collars, scarfs and jackets to improve air flow.

4. Try to revive the person by talking to the person loudly or tapping him/her. Also, feel the pulse and check the breathing to ensure that the person is breathing normally.

5. In some cases, a person might faint when moving in the sun, stressed or after travelling to work due to dehydration. Hence, after the person regains consciousness, give water mixed with electoral powder, fruit juices, water with sugar and salt or lemon juice as it helps in maintaining electrolyte balance. Also read things you should not do when suffering from dehydration.

6. Make the person take rest for at least half an hour or more till he/she feels better before getting back to work.

In 90% cases, fainting occurs at a young age, and a person regains conscious within a minute or two. However, if a person fails to so, call a hospital. Also, fainting too often or more than once a month should be taken seriously. If the person has suffered any injuries, then do treat it. Also, if a person has fallen on any sharp surface or is bleeding, then stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure. Read more on first aid for cuts and bleeding

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