What to Do in the Event of a Stroke

Seeing someone have a stroke can be a traumatic experience, but knowing how to react can help you to stay calm and respond quickly, which could help to save the person’s life. Time is of the essence when reacting to a stroke, the quicker you can react the greater the chances the Dr’s have of restoring the blood flow to the affected area, which will save brain cells. The quicker the blood flow is restored and the more brain cells that are saved, the more likely the chances are of the person making a good recovery.

Emergency

Know the Signs

There are a number of key signs to look out for which could signal someone is having a stroke. The FAST acronym can be a helpful way for you to remember what to look for. Face: does one side of their face look as though it has drooped? Arms: can the person raise both arms? Speech: can the person speak as normal and be easily understood? If any of those answers cause you alarm it’s Time to ring 999.

Dial 999

Don’t wait to see if the person’s symptoms ‘pass’ or wait to get a second opinion, if you’re concerned it could be a stroke, the best thing to do is to call 999 immediately.

Next Steps

Stay with the person to prevent them from causing themselves further injury. As much as is possible, try to note down when exactly the stroke happened, where the person was and if they have any medication they may be currently taking.

Stay Calm

The two most important things you can do when dealing with a stroke is reacting quickly by calling 999 and staying calm. While it can feel like a frightening experience, being trained to deal effectively with the situation can help you to respond logically.

Undertaking first response training can help you react quickly to stressful, upsetting situations. If you are ever faced with someone who you believe is having a stroke, being able to react calmly and quickly could save their life. We offer health training courses Midlands, to empower you with the knowledge and resources to react effectively if you believe someone is having a stroke. For more information about our health training courses in the Midlands, contact us today on 01778 338048.

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