Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain. Most people recover within a minute or two once they are lying flat. Fainting often follows emotional shock, pain, long periods of standing, heat, fatigue, dehydration or a sudden change in posture. Good first aid for fainting helps the person recover safely, but you also need to recognise when a collapse is not a simple faint.
Signs Before and During Fainting
- Giddiness or light-headedness
- Pale, cold and moist skin
- A slow, weak pulse
- Restlessness, yawning or blurred vision
- A brief loss of consciousness and collapse
After the collapse the person usually recovers quickly, though they may be confused and embarrassed for a short time.
Fainting First Aid Steps
- Lay the person flat and raise the legs about 30 centimetres on a bag or chair, so blood returns to the brain.
- Loosen tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist.
- Ensure fresh air. Open windows, move people back and avoid overheating the person with blankets.
- Check breathing and responsiveness. If they do not wake within about a minute, treat them as unconscious, place them in the recovery position and call an ambulance. Follow the DRABC primary survey if they are not breathing normally.
- Check for injuries from the fall, especially to the head.
- Let them rest and recover slowly. Keep them lying down for several minutes, and sit them up gradually. Give a drink only once they are fully alert and sitting.
What Not to Do When Someone Is Fainting
- Do not sit the person upright quickly or make them stand.
- Do not put their head between their knees when they are already unconscious, because bending the neck can restrict the airway.
- Do not give food or drink until they have recovered.
- Do not slap or shake the person.
When Fainting Is Not Just a Faint
Call an ambulance if the person has chest pain, a very slow or irregular pulse, breathing difficulty, severe headache, weakness or speech problems, injury, is pregnant, diabetic or aged over 60, faints while exercising or while seated, or does not recover quickly. These features may point to a heart rhythm problem, a stroke, bleeding or a low blood sugar level. See our guides to shock first aid and hyperventilation.
Preventing Fainting
People who tend to faint should drink plenty of fluids, avoid standing still for long periods, rise slowly from lying or sitting, avoid heat and skipped meals, and sit or lie down at the first warning signs. Tensing leg muscles can help raise blood pressure. Anyone who faints repeatedly, or without warning, should see a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from a faint?
Usually under a minute or two once lying flat, though dizziness and tiredness may continue for a while.
Should I call an ambulance every time someone faints?
Not for a simple faint with quick recovery, but do if there are warning signs, injury, or the person does not wake within a minute.
References and Further Reading
Last updated: October 2026
Prepared by: EHS Guidelines Editorial Team
This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for accredited first aid training or professional medical care. In an emergency, call your local emergency number immediately. Emergency numbers, medicines and protocols differ between countries, so follow local guidance.
Related Guides
- Recovery Position: A Step by Step Guide
- Shock First Aid: Recognising Circulatory Shock and Acting Fast
- Hyperventilation: First Aid for Rapid Breathing, Panic and Tingling
- Vital Signs Observations: Pulse, Breathing, Conscious State and Skin
- DRABC Primary Survey: The Basic Life Support Flow Chart Explained
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