Fainting Syncope

Brief loss of consciousness from reduced brain blood flow

Step by Step

If someone feels faint, help them lie down with legs raised, or if that is not possible, sit with their head lowered between their knees. For someone who has fainted: check they are breathing, lay them on their back and raise their legs, and loosen tight clothing. If they are pregnant, lay them on their side instead. Call emergency services if they are not breathing normally, cannot be woken within 1 minute, do not fully recover, are injured, are shaking or jerking as in a seizure, fainted while exercising or while lying down, or have chest pain, palpitations, or difficulty breathing. Once awake, they should rise slowly. Seek medical advice after any faint, especially for repeated episodes or with no obvious trigger.