Emergency

Fainting

If someone faints, lay them down and raise their legs; if they do not quickly come round or are not breathing normally, call 999.

When to call 999. Call 999 if the person does not regain consciousness within a minute or two, is not breathing normally, faints with chest pain or breathlessness, has repeated faints, or faints after a head injury.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

What to do

  1. If someone feels faint, help them sit or lie down before they fall.
  2. If they have fainted, lay them on their back and raise their legs above the level of the heart to help blood return to the brain.
  3. Loosen any tight clothing and make sure they have plenty of fresh air.
  4. As they come round, reassure them and keep them lying down for a few minutes before slowly sitting up.
  5. If they do not regain consciousness quickly, check their breathing and place them in the recovery position.
  6. If they are not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR.

Avoid

What not to do

Do not stand the person up quickly, crowd around them or give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered. Do not ignore a faint that comes with chest pain, breathlessness or a head injury — these need urgent assessment.

Afterwards and while you wait

Most simple faints recover fully within a minute or two. Once recovered, the person should rest, sip water and get up slowly. See a doctor if faints happen repeatedly, occur during exercise, or come without warning, as these can signal a heart or other problem.

Education and reference only. This is general first-aid information aligned with UK guidance, not a substitute for a hands-on first-aid course or professional emergency care. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 straight away.

Answers

Fainting: frequently asked questions

Why raise the legs when someone faints?

A faint happens because blood flow to the brain drops briefly. Raising the legs helps blood return to the heart and brain, so the person usually comes round quickly.

When is fainting a sign of something serious?

Seek medical advice for faints that happen during exercise, with chest pain or palpitations, without any warning, repeatedly, or after a head injury, as these may point to a heart or neurological cause.

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NHS — first aid
  • St John Ambulance / British Red Cross first-aid guidance
  • Resuscitation Council UK (where relevant)

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