If someone faints, make sure they are safe, lay them flat, raise their legs, and call emergency services if they do not wake up quickly or are not breathing normally. Never give food or drink until they are fully awake and alert, and be ready to start CPR if they stop breathing.

What fainting is

  • Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain.
  • It often happens after standing up quickly, pain, heat, emotional stress, or not eating, and most people recover within a minute or two.
  • Even if someone seems fine afterward, fainting can sometimes signal heart or other serious medical problems, so follow‑up with a clinician is important.

Step‑by‑step: what to do if someone faints

  1. Check safety first
    • Make sure there is no immediate danger (traffic, stairs, sharp edges, electrical hazards) and gently lower them to the floor if they start to collapse.
 * If they fell, avoid moving their neck or back if you suspect injury, especially from a height or with a hard impact.
  1. Position them correctly
    • Lay the person on their back and raise their legs about 30 cm (12 inches) if there are no obvious injuries; this helps blood flow back to the brain.
 * Loosen tight clothing around the neck, chest, and waist (belts, collars, ties, scarves) so they can breathe more easily.
  1. Check responsiveness and breathing
    • Gently tap their shoulder and speak loudly: “Are you okay?” to see if they respond or open their eyes.
 * Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing and check for a pulse; if they are not breathing normally, call emergency services and start CPR if trained.
  1. If they are breathing and start to wake up
    • Keep them lying flat for several minutes; standing too quickly can make them faint again.
 * Once fully awake, let them sit up slowly, then stand with support if they feel steady; stay with them until they feel completely normal.
  1. If they are not waking up or you see danger signs
    • Call emergency services if they do not regain consciousness within about one minute, have chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, seizure activity, or a very slow or irregular heartbeat.
 * Turn them onto their side (recovery position) if they are breathing but still unresponsive or vomiting, to keep the airway clear and reduce choking risk.

What not to do when someone faints

  • Do not shake them violently, slap them, or throw water on their face, as this can cause injury or panic without helping blood flow.
  • Do not make them stand or walk immediately, even if they insist they are fine; the brain may still have reduced blood flow.
  • Do not give food, drink, or medication until they are fully conscious, sitting or lying safely, and can swallow normally.
  • Do not leave them alone, especially in the first several minutes after they wake, because they may faint again or develop new symptoms.

When fainting is an emergency

Fainting is not always “just a faint” and may be life‑threatening in some situations. Treat it as an emergency and call for help right away if:

  • The person does not wake up within about one minute or remains very drowsy or confused.
  • They have chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or a history of heart disease or serious rhythm problems.
  • They are pregnant, very young, older, or fainted during exercise or without any warning symptoms.
  • There was significant trauma (head injury, fall from height, heavy bleeding) when they collapsed.

Quick HTML table for key steps

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Situation What to do
Person collapses but is breathing Lay flat, raise legs ~30 cm, loosen tight clothing, give fresh air, monitor closely.
Not waking after ~1 minute Call emergency services, keep them on back, be ready for CPR, do not give food or drink.
Not breathing normally Call emergency services immediately and start CPR if trained until help arrives.
Vomiting or unresponsive but breathing Place in recovery position on their side and watch breathing continuously.
Wakes up and feels better Keep lying or sitting for several minutes, stand up slowly, arrange medical follow‑up if cause is unclear.
**Important:** This is general first‑aid information and not a substitute for professional medical advice or local emergency guidance. If someone faints and you are worried at all, call your local emergency number.