Practical Answers for Everyday Independence

What to Do When Someone Faints – QG

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Category: Health & Safety

⚡ What to Do When Someone Faints

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. A person may faint because of heat, dehydration, pain, fear, low blood sugar, standing up too quickly, medication, heart problems, bleeding, or another medical condition.

Most people recover quickly, but fainting can sometimes signal a serious emergency. It can also cause an injury when the person falls.

If Someone Says They Feel Faint

Possible warning signs include:

  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Pale or clammy skin
  • Blurred or narrowing vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Feeling unusually warm
  • Sudden confusion

Help the person:

  1. Lie down before they fall.
  2. Raise their legs about 8 to 12 inches if no injury makes this unsafe.
  3. Loosen tight clothing.
  4. Move them to a cooler or better-ventilated location.
  5. Keep them lying down until the feeling passes.

If the person cannot lie down, have them sit with their head lowered while you remain nearby.

If the Person Loses Consciousness

  • Guide them to the floor if possible.
  • Check for a response.
  • Call their name and tap their shoulder.
  • Check whether they are breathing normally.
  • Look for injuries caused by the fall.
  • Loosen tight clothing.
  • Keep other people back.
  • Note how long they remain unconscious.

Do not assume the person has simply fainted until you confirm that they are breathing normally.

If the Person Is Not Breathing Normally

Gasping, snorting, gurgling, or occasional irregular breaths are not normal breathing.

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally:

  1. Call 911.
  2. Begin CPR.
  3. Send someone to get an AED.
  4. Use the AED as soon as it arrives.
  5. Continue until the person begins breathing normally or emergency professionals take over.

Sudden cardiac arrest may initially look like fainting.

If the Person Is Breathing Normally

If no serious injury is suspected:

  • Keep the person lying flat.
  • Raise their legs when appropriate.
  • Monitor breathing.
  • Keep them comfortable.
  • Allow fresh air.
  • Stay with them.

If the person vomits or remains unconscious, place them on their side when no serious neck or spinal injury is suspected.

Do not move the person unnecessarily after a serious fall or possible head, neck, back, or hip injury.

Call 911 If

  • The person is not breathing normally.
  • They do not wake within about one minute.
  • They faint during exercise.
  • They faint while lying down.
  • They have chest pain or pressure.
  • They have a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • They have severe difficulty breathing.
  • They have facial drooping, weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking.
  • They have a seizure.
  • They are seriously injured.
  • They struck their head.
  • They fainted after significant bleeding.
  • They are pregnant.
  • They have diabetes.
  • They have known heart problems.
  • They faint more than once.
  • Poisoning or overdose may be involved.
  • They remain confused or unusually weak.
  • This is their first unexplained fainting episode.
  • You are unsure whether the person is safe.

When the Person Wakes Up

  • Reassure them.
  • Keep them lying down for several minutes.
  • Ask what they remember.
  • Check for pain or injury.
  • Help them sit up slowly.
  • Wait before helping them stand.
  • Support them when they first stand.
  • Have them lie down again if dizziness returns.

Do not allow the person to immediately walk away, drive, climb stairs, or resume physical activity.

Food and Drinks

Do not give anything by mouth while the person is unconscious, confused, vomiting, or unable to swallow safely.

Once the person is fully awake and can swallow normally, small sips of water may be appropriate if dehydration or heat may have contributed.

If low blood sugar is suspected and the person is fully awake and able to swallow safely, give fast-acting sugar according to their diabetes plan.

Do not give food or drinks when stroke, serious injury, poisoning, or another medical emergency may be involved.

If Low Blood Sugar May Be the Cause

Possible signs include:

  • Shaking
  • Sweating
  • Hunger
  • Confusion
  • Irritability
  • Poor coordination
  • Unusual behavior
  • Weakness

If the person is awake and can swallow, give approximately 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck after 15 minutes when possible.

If the person is unconscious:

  • Call 911.
  • Do not put anything in their mouth.
  • Give prescribed glucagon if available and you know how to use it.
  • Monitor breathing.

If Heat May Be the Cause

  • Move the person to a cool location.
  • Loosen or remove unnecessary clothing.
  • Apply cool, wet cloths.
  • Monitor for confusion, very high body temperature, seizures, or worsening symptoms.

Call 911 if heat stroke is possible. Confusion or unconsciousness during extreme heat is an emergency.

If the Person Had Seizure-Like Movements

Brief jerking can sometimes occur during fainting, but a seizure may also cause loss of consciousness.

  • Protect the person from injury.
  • Do not restrain them.
  • Do not place anything in their mouth.
  • Time the movements.
  • Call 911 if the seizure lasts five minutes, repeats, causes injury, or is the person’s first known seizure.

Tell medical professionals exactly what you observed.

Do Not

  • Slap or shake the person.
  • Splash water on their face.
  • Use smelling salts or ammonia.
  • Force them to sit or stand.
  • Give food, drinks, or pills while they are not fully alert.
  • Leave them alone.
  • Assume fainting is harmless.
  • Let them drive immediately afterward.
  • Ignore an injury from the fall.
  • Delay CPR when breathing is not normal.

After a Fainting Episode

A healthcare professional should evaluate unexplained fainting, particularly when it:

  • Happens for the first time
  • Happens repeatedly
  • Occurs during exercise
  • Occurs without warning
  • Happens with chest pain or palpitations
  • Causes an injury
  • Occurs in someone with heart disease
  • Begins after a medication change

Write down what happened, how long the person was unconscious, what symptoms came before it, and how quickly they recovered.

Quick Fainting Checklist

  • Help the person lie down.
  • Raise the legs when safe.
  • Check responsiveness and breathing.
  • Call 911 if breathing is abnormal.
  • Begin CPR and use an AED when needed.
  • Keep a breathing person lying down.
  • Check for injuries.
  • Do not give anything by mouth until fully alert.
  • Help the person sit and stand slowly.
  • Call 911 for serious symptoms or delayed recovery.
  • Arrange medical follow-up for unexplained fainting.

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Important Health & Safety Notice

The information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes only. Independence Answers is not a medical provider, and this content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or supervision. Always follow the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition, take medication, or are unsure whether an action is safe for you.

Do not ignore or delay seeking professional care because of something you read here. If you believe someone may be experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.