Every week, St John Ambulance’s James Atkin brings you his simple, but life saving, first aid tips – this week: fainting.

A faint is a brief loss of responsiveness which happens because for a moment there is not enough blood flowing to the brain. Fainting can be a reaction to emotional stress, hunger, pain or exhaustion. It is also common after someone has been standing or sitting still for a long period of time, especially if they are feeling hot.

When someone faints, their pulse rate becomes very slow, however this soon returns to normal and they will usually make a rapid and complete recovery.

So, the three key symptoms of someone fainting are a brief loss of responsiveness, often causing them to fall to the ground, a slow pulse and pale, cold skin and sweating.

If someone complains about feeling faint, tell them to lie down and raise their legs. Kneel down next to them and raise their legs, supporting their ankles on your shoulders to help blood flow back to the brain. Make sure the casualty has plenty of fresh air, so open a window if you are indoors and ask any bystanders to stand clear.

Watch the casualty’s face for signs of improvement.

As they recover, reassure them and help them to sit up gradually. If the casualty feels faint again, advise them to lie down and raise their legs again until they recover fully.

Never advise a casualty who feels faint to sit on a chair with their head between their knees as, if they do faint, they may fall and hurt themselves.

If the patient does not regain consciousness quickly, open their airway and check their breathing and call 999/112 for emergency help.

Want to know more? Find out about first aid courses near you by calling 0121 237 3879, emailing west-mids-training@sja.org.uk or visiting our website www.sja.org.uk. If you are interested in volunteering, you’ll find the latest vacancies on our website or by calling our regional headquarters on 0121 236 6660. They can also advise on your nearest Badger and Cadet units.