What to Do When Someone Collapses In Front of You

Here are the DOs and DON’Ts you should follow if someone collapses in front of you.

The stressful lives that we lead these days can take a toll on our bodies. This exhaustion is taking over so many young working professionals and some even fall prey to cardiac or neurological issues.

And many a times this could manifest itself with a person just collapsing or fainting at say work or home. What do you do in a situation like this?

What do you do if someone collapses in front of you? It could be for a variety of reasons but here are a few common things you should keep in mind. Dr Sumit Ray from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital suggests the following DOs and DON’Ts.

There are two situations: one is when someone faints and the second when the person has seizures or fits.

Most of the times a person faints because of a condition called vasovagal syncope, when a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure leads to fainting, often in reaction to a stressful trigger.

If Someone Faints

First and foremost, you should call for help immediately.

Then once the person is made to lie down comfortably, and if they’re unconscious and not responding but they do have a pulse, lift their legs about a feet above the ground, so that the blood flows towards the brain. Keep the legs raised until they’re conscious and responding.

Even if the person gains consciousness, do not make them sit upright immediately, keep the feet up and let them become comfortable and conscious.

If you know how to check their pulse and you don’t feel it then perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Simplest way to do that is to give chest compressions. Place your hands in the middle of the chest area and do it at a rate of 20 times a minute.

Also Read: You Can Save a Life With CPR: Watch How To Perform It Here

Mouth to mouth breathing is very difficult to do properly for a layperson so just give chest compressions till you wait for help to come.

If you don’t know how to check for pulse, and the person remains unconscious you may start CPR if there no movement. But if the person has even a slight movement, that means there is blood flow even if they’re unconscious, so CPR isn’t needed.

Don’t try to force water in their mouth. Give it only when they’re conscious and ask for water or you ask them and they respond with a yes.

If Someone Is Having Seizures

Again, call for help immediately. Then turn the patient to lie on their side (any side), they shouldn’t be lying flat on their back. There’s nothing much you can do in such a situation other than this.

The biggest fear is that they will choke on their secretions or blood, so if you put them on their side, the fluids and blood will flow out of the mouth and not go inside the lungs or the wind pipe.

Don’t try to give water or anything to drink that time. Trying to force something in can cause more damage. In case of seizures, never perform CPR.

Just follow these simple tips while you wait for help to come to handle the situation well.