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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Fainting Treatment

Call 911 if the person:

  • Has blue lips or face
  • An irregular or slow heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Is difficult to awaken
  • Acts confused

1. Make the Person Safe

  • Lay the person flat on his or her back.
  • Elevate the person's legs to restore blood flow to the brain.
  • Loosen tight clothing.

 

2. Try to Revive the Person

  • Shake the person vigorously, tap briskly, or yell.
  • If the person doesn't respond, call 911 immediately.

 

3. Do Home Care for Simple Fainting

  • If the person is alert, give fruit juice, especially if the person has not eaten in more than 6 hours or has diabetes.
  • Stay with the person until the person is fully recovered.

 

4. Call a Health Care Provider

See a health care provider right away if the person:

  • Hit his or her head when fainting
  • Faints more than once in a month
  • Is pregnant or has a heart condition or other serious illness
  • Experiences unusual symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, or difficulty talking

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Robert L. Norris, MD on November 01, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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