How should you monitor a casualty who has fainted or almost fainted?

• A. Stand them up and give them water.
• B. Leave them alone to recover.
• C. Shout instructions from a distance.
• D. Check responsiveness, lay them flat with legs elevated if possible, and seek help if they do not quickly regain consciousness.

Answer: (D)

When someone faints, the priority is to keep them safe and make sure the brain gets enough blood. The best approach is to check if they respond to you, keep them lying flat, and, if there are no injuries, raise their legs a bit to help blood return to the heart and brain. While you do this, monitor their level of consciousness and look for signs they’re waking up. Seek urgent help if they do not regain consciousness quickly or if they have trouble breathing or other concerning symptoms.

Avoid standing them up or giving them water while they’re unconscious, as both can cause harm. Leaving them alone is risky because they could deteriorate. Shouting instructions from a distance doesn’t provide the direct care they need.