BASIC LIFE SAVING
Prepared by:
Ballesteros, Leah Joy Castro, Jennifer
Calilit, Aiza Dela Cruz, Lester Jay
Calaramo, Ana Jhominy Deuz, Ma. Hurvey
Callanga, Micah Jireh Elicay, Janela
FAINTING
What is Fainting?
Fainting, also known as
syncope, is a temporary loss of
consciousness that occurs due
to a temporary decrease in
blood flow to the brain. A
fainting episode usually lasts a
few seconds or minutes.
CAUSES OF FAINTING
• Vasovagal syncope
This can occur when a
person experiences a stressful
event. Examples include the
sight of blood, emotional
stress, physical trauma,
emotional trauma or pain.
CAUSES OF FAINTING
• Cardiac syncope
This type of syncope involves
fainting because of a heart
problem. Many heart
conditions can affect how much
oxygenated blood your heart
can pump to your brain.
CAUSES OF FAINTING
• Carotid sinus syncope
This type of syncope can happen
when something pinches or constricts
the carotid artery in your neck. The
Carotid artery is a blood vessel that
supplies your brain.
This type of fainting can occur when
someone wears a very tight collar,
stretches or turns their neck too
much.
CAUSES OF FAINTING
• Dehydration or overheating
• A neurologic condition, such as a seizure disorder or stroke
• A sudden drop in blood sugar, as may happen in a person who
has diabetes.
• Skipping too many meals.
• Hyperventilating (breathing too fast)
• Working, playing or exercising too hard, especially in the heat
• Using alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs.
SYMPTOMS OF FAINTING
• Dizziness, light- • Blurred vision
headedness, a floating • Fatigue
feeling
• Heart palpitations
• A pale face
• Feeling warm or hot
• Perspiration (sweating)
• A feeling of heaviness
• Nausea in the legs
• Weakness
SIGNS TO RECOGNIZE
• The individual may be falling over.
• The patient may be slumping.
• The person may be unusually pale.
• There may be a drop in blood pressure.
• There may be a weak pulse.
Fainting can occur in various situations, including:
1. Standing for long period
• Prolonged standing can lead to blood
pooling in the legs, causing a drop in
blood pressure and fainting.
2. Dehydration
• Insufficient fluid intake or excessive
sweating can cause dehydration,
leading to fainting.
Fainting can occur in various situations, including:
3. Emotional stress
• Intense emotions, such as fear, anxiety,
or pain, can trigger a vasovagal
response and result in fainting.
4. Heat exposure
• Being in a hot environment or
experiencing heat exhaustion can lead to
fainting due to dehydration and decreased
blood flow to the brain.
Fainting can occur in various situations, including:
5. Certain medications
• Some medications, such as blood pressure medications or
antidepressants, can cause fainting as a side effect.
6. Standing up too quickly
• When you stand up quickly, blood can pool in your legs, causing
a temporary drop in blood pressure and leading to fainting.
Breathe-holding and fainting in infants
Sometimes, an infant or child may faint after holding
their breath for up to 1 minute. The child may do this
when they are upset or afraid or experience a shock or
pain.
They may:
• cry and then be silent while holding their breath
• open their mouth as if to cry, but remain silent
• lose consciousness for 1-2 minutes
Breathe-holding and fainting in infants
In most cases, the child will regain consciousness,
and the incident will pass. However, someone should
seek emergency medical help if the child:
• appears blue or gray
• becomes floppy
• is shaking, stiff, or jerking, which may be a sign of a
seizure
• cannot be woken
IF YOU FEEL FAINT
• Don’t stay standing up. Find somewhere to either sit or lie down
and elevate your feet. This may prevent a loss of consciousness.
Fresh air can also help, especially if you are feeling hot.
• If you manage to sit down, place your head between your knees.
• If it is not possible to lie down, put your head down as low as
possible.
• If you do faint, remain lying down for 10 minutes.
• When standing up again, do so slowly.
First Aid Procedures
1. Ensure Safety: Check the surroundings to ensure
there are no immediate dangers to the person who
has fainted, such as sharp objects or nearby hazards.
If there is a crowd, ask other people to move away.
2. Assess Responsiveness: Gently shake the
person's shoulders and call their name to assess
their responsiveness. If there is no response,
they are likely unconscious.
First Aid Procedures
3. Positioning: Carefully lay the person
flat on their back. If possible, elevate their
legs slightly to help improve blood flow to
the brain. This can be done by placing a
small pillow or rolled-up clothing under
their legs.
4. Loosen Tight Clothing: If the person is
wearing tight clothing around the neck or
waist, such as a tie or belt, loosen or remove
it to ensure proper breathing.
First Aid Procedures
5. Check Breathing and Pulse: Assess the
person's breathing and pulse. If they are not
breathing or do not have a pulse, begin CPR
immediately if you are trained to do so. Call 911
then continue CPR until either help arrives or the
person starts breathing on their own.
6. Monitor: Stay with the person and monitor
their vital signs until they regain
consciousness. Reassure them and keep them
calm. Ensure that there is plenty of fresh air.
First Aid Procedures
7. Recovery Position: If the person
regains consciousness but feels weak
or dizzy, help them into a comfortable
seated or semi-reclined position to
prevent another fainting episode.
WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID
• Slap face or pour water over the head of unconscious person.
• Putting the victim’s head on pillow may obstruct breathing.
• Give food or drink to an unconscious person.
• Providing alcohol to a person who is recovering from swoon,
as it may worsen the situation.
• Leaving the unconscious person alone.
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