It is so important to know what to do if someone faints! Fainting occurs when there is an inadequate blood supply to our brains. There are a number of reasons why people faint, however many are unsure of what to do when this incident occurs. Having the knowledge of some basic first aid steps can help to take control of these situations until the emergency services arrive. At Harberry Training we have a range of first aid at work training courses that will offer you practical and theoretical training so that you know what to do is someone faints at work alongside a wealth of other helpful tips and training for first aid emergencies in the workplace..
Why Do People Feel Faint?
Fainting is when you experience a loss of consciousness for a short period of time. This is caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. Some people are more prone to fainting than others and there are a number of reasons why someone can faint.
These include:
- Anxiety attacks
- Stress
- Feeling too hot
- Pregnancy
- Hunger
- Experiencing pain
- Standing or sitting still for long periods of time
It is essential that your staff are trained in first aid as when they are faced with these emergency situations they will know how to check vital signs and prevent serious injury.
What To Do If Someone Feels Faint In The Workplace?
- If someone within your workplace is feeling dizzy and faint, the first thing to do is to lie them down straight on their back and elevate their legs. This will help to improve blood flow to their brain. If his person is pregnant they should be placed on their left side which will help to prevent the restriction of blood flow going back to the heart.
- If they are wearing tight clothing, such as belts, ties or scarfs, these should be loosened to help to improve their airflow.
- Once the person has been placed in this position, you should try to revive them by speaking loudly or tapping them to see if they are responsive. It is also a good idea to check their pulse to ensure that they are breathing normally without any difficulties.
- In some work environments, people may faint due to standing or sitting for long periods of time, they are stressed, or the workplace is overheating. This can cause someone to feel dehydrated, dizzy and faint. Once the person has regained their consciousness they should be given water mixed with an electoral powder such as Dioralyte or fruit juices as these will help to increase their blood sugar and maintain their electrolyte balance.
- Make the person who has fainted rest and lie down for 30 minutes or more until they are feeling better. Not taking enough time to recover before going back to work may cause them to feel unwell and faint for a second time.
- It’s important to bear in mind that fainting is usually a one-time event that isn’t usually caused by a medical condition. It is still important to get this person checked by medical professionals to rule out any unknown health issues. Knowing what has caused this person to faint may help to prevent this situation from happening again in the future.
Harberry Training offers first aid courses in Glasgow that is suitable for the workplace. This course will take 3 days to complete and participants will receive a Level 3 Award in First Aid at the Workplace that is approved by Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and 1982 (NI). This award will be valid for 3 years and your staff can attend an FAIB approved course that is designed for your staff members who have previously completed the First Aid at Work Certificate.
For more information on how your staff can take part in a 3 day first aid at work course get in touch with a member of our team today.
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