What to do
- If you see someone starting to faint, help them to the floor so that they do not fall. Ask people to stand back and let in fresh air.
- Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly if they are all right. If they do not respond, shout for help.
- Check their breathing: tilt the head back gently, lift the chin, and look and listen for 10 seconds. If they are not breathing normally, call for an ambulance at once and start CPR, as in the hands-only CPR guide.
- If they are breathing normally, lay them flat on their back and raise their legs, for example on a bag or cushions. Loosen tight clothing around the neck. If they are pregnant, lay them on their side instead.
- Most people wake up within about 30 seconds. Stay with them and reassure them. When they feel better, help them sit up slowly over a few minutes.
- If they vomit, turn them onto their side.
- If they do not wake within a minute, call for an ambulance, turn them into the recovery position and keep checking their breathing until help arrives.
What not to do:
- Do not slap the face or splash water on it.
- Do not give food or drink until the person is fully awake.
- Do not put a pillow under the head of someone who is unconscious.
- Do not leave an unconscious person alone.
- Do not sit the person up or prop them against a wall.
When fainting is an emergency
Even when the person wakes up quickly, they should see a doctor, especially if it is the first time they have fainted, they faint often, or they have new symptoms with the faint. A faint can have a simple cause, but only a check can tell.
Why people faint
A faint happens when blood flow to the brain drops for a short time. Common triggers are standing up too quickly, standing still for a long time, not eating or drinking enough, being too hot, strong emotion or severe pain, and straining, coughing hard or passing urine. Low blood sugar, some medicines, low and heart rhythm problems can also be the cause.
If you feel faint yourself
- Lie down and raise your legs. If you cannot lie down, sit and lower your head between your knees.
- Drink some water once you feel better.
- Stay down until the feeling passes, then get up slowly.
Myths and facts
Things people often say about this. Open each one to see what is true.
Myth“Slap the face or splash water on it to bring the person round.”What is true?
Fact
Do not slap the face or splash water on it. Lay the person flat and raise their legs. Most people wake up within about 30 seconds.
Myth“Sit the person up or prop them against a wall so that they get air.”What is true?
Fact
Lay the person flat on their back and raise their legs. Fresh air helps, so ask people to stand back, but the person should be lying down.
Myth“Give them water or tea straight away to bring them round.”What is true?
Fact
Give nothing to eat or drink until the person is fully awake. If low blood sugar is likely, something sweet can be given once they are conscious.
Myth“Fainting is always harmless, so there is no need to see a doctor.”What is true?
Fact
Many faints have a simple cause, but a faint can also be a sign of a heart problem. Anyone who has fainted should get checked, and some signs need an ambulance straight away.
Common questions
How long does someone take to wake up after fainting?
Most people wake up within about 30 seconds of lying flat. If a person has not woken within a minute, call for an ambulance and keep checking their breathing.
Should I put the person in the recovery position?
Not at once. First check that they are breathing normally, then lay them on their back with their legs raised. If they stay unresponsive but are breathing normally, call for an ambulance and turn them onto their side.
Why should I see a doctor if I only fainted once?
A faint has many causes, from standing up too fast to heart rhythm problems. A doctor can find out which it was, and can check your blood pressure, heart and medicines.
What if the person is pregnant?
Lay them on their side rather than on their back, and call for an ambulance. A faint in pregnancy needs a medical check.