Queensland Police Union Journal

Police Health
possible, to get the blood pumping
towards their head. This will also
prevent injury from falling.
If the fainting episode was heat
related, try to cool the person down
with a wet cloth and by loosening any
extra clothing. Apply other first aid if
you are trained, and if heat stroke is
suspected, call an ambulance (Triple
Zero - 000).
The person can get up slowly after
ten minutes.
Note that if you suspect a medical
emergency, if in any doubt, or if a
person doesn’t recover quickly, do
not hesitate to call an ambulance. The
collapse may have been triggered by
a more serious event such as a stroke
or diabetic medical emergency.
SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE
Occasionally, a collapse may be
caused by a more serious event such
as a disturbance in normal heart
rhythm. Fainting may be an early
warning signal that something is
wrong, and further examination is
sometimes important.
If a person complains of
breathlessness, chest pains, or heart
palpitations, or if pulse is faster or
slower than expected, the person
should see a doctor. Similarly, slurred
speech, facial droop, or weakness
in any limbs is a sign of a serious
problem.
If a stoke or a heart attack is
suspected, provide first aid if you
are trained, and in any event, ensure
that a call for an ambulance has been
made (Triple Zero – 000).
If fainting occurred after turning
the head, bones in the neck may be
pinching and cutting blood flow to
the brain. If this happens, a doctor
should be consulted, and if it is an
emergency, call an ambulance.
Likewise, frequent fainting spells or
sensations of light-headedness needs
to be medically investigated to check
for underlying causes.
WHERE TO GET HELP
• Call an ambulance in an
emergency.
• Your doctor
This article provides a general
summary only. Professional advice
should be sought about specific cases.
Police Health is not responsible for any
error or omission in this article. The
information provided reflects the view
of the organisations from which the
information has been sourced and does
not represent any recommendations or
views of Police Health.
Police Health | Ph: 1800 603 603
www.policehealth.com.au
Information Sourced From: ABC
Science, The Age, Better Health
Channel, MyDr, Medline Plus,
FamilyDoctor.org, Medscape,
MedicineNet.com, Queensland
Ambulance Service, National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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Queensland Police Union Journal June 2013
77