When encountering someone having stroke symptoms, it is imperative to work fast. This illness is very delicate and delays in treating it might lead to long-term complications. The best way to be of help to the person in need is to be calm, don’t panic because you will worsen their situation, so stay calm and act quickly.
Healthline, an information hub that provides health information advises on the steps to follow when a person is having a stroke in front of you.
There is a fast procedure to check and verify stroke symptoms on a person, it’s literally called the FAST test, an acronym for Face, Arms, Speech and Time. This is how you use it.
F- check for facial dropping or numbness. Is the side of their face dropping, with an uneven smile?
A- ask the person to raise their arms to see any weakness or unsteadiness on both arms.
S- ask the person to speak. Can they speak properly without slurring?
T- if all of the above apply to the person, quickly make the emergency call.
Call for help: If you recognise stroke symptoms on someone, call an ambulance or the emergency line. Stay as calm as possible while waiting for help.
Get them in a comfortable position: Make sure they’re in a safe, comfortable position. If possible, position them lying on one side with their head slightly raised and supported in case they vomit.
Observe their breathing: If they’re not breathing, perform chest compressions or CPR. If they’re having difficulty breathing, loosen any tight clothing, such as a tie or scarf.
Check for any bleeding: If they happened to have hurt themselves and bled, apply pressure to the wound with clean fabric. Observe the person for any change in condition. Be prepared to tell the medical attendants about the person’s symptoms and when they started. Be sure to mention if the person fell or hit their head.
Calm them down: Talk to the person in a calm, reassuring manner. You don’t need them panicking at this point.
Prevent choking: Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
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