Fainting

Overview

Fainting is when you pass out for a short time. Fainting is when someone briefly becomes unresponsive, often causing them to fall to the ground. It happens because for a moment, there is not enough blood flowing to the brain.

It's not usually a sign of something serious, but if it happens you should see a GP.

Signs and Symptoms

Fainting usually happens suddenly. Symptoms can include:

• dizziness
• cold skin and sweating
• feeling warm or hot
• feeling sick
• changes to your vision

Immediate First Aid Steps 

If you see someone faint:

If you're with someone who has fainted, try to keep calm.

If you can, lay them on their back and raise their legs.

If they’re pregnant (especially if they’re more than 28 weeks pregnant), it’s better to lay them on their side.

Usually, the person who has fainted will wake up within 20 seconds.

Reassure them and help them to sit up slowly over a few minutes, when they feel better.

If they remain unresponsive, open their airway, check their breathing, and prepare to provide the appropriate first aid:

• Refer to the Recovery Position page for steps if they are unconscious but breathing. 
•  Refer to the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) page for guidance if they are unconscious and not breathing normally.

Things you can do to prevent fainting:

If you feel like you're about to faint, try to:

• lie down with your legs raised – if you cannot do this, then sit with your head lowered between your knees
• drink some water
• eat something
• take some deep breaths

When To Seek Medical Help

Call an ambulance or seek immediate medical help (e.g. Emergency Department) if someone faints and they:

• are not breathing
• cannot be woken up within 1 minute
• have not fully recovered or have difficulty with speech or movement
• have chest pain or a pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (heart palpitations)
• have seriously hurt themselves
• are shaking or jerking because of a seizure or fit
• fainted while exercising
• fainted while lying down

See a GP if:

• you have fainted

It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s important to get checked by a GP to find out what might have caused it.

You must not drive if your GP has referred you to a specialist and you are waiting to be assessed.

Causes

There are many reasons why someone might faint.

Causes include:

• standing up too quickly – this could be a sign of low blood pressure
• not eating or drinking enough
• being too hot
• being very upset, angry or in severe pain
• heart problems
• taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol