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What To Do If You Fall Or Witness A Fall
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We all fall from time to time. With age, both the number of falls and the likelihood of injury increase. So, it's important to know what to do if you fall or if you see someone else fall. Reacting properly to a fall can make the difference between a "serious" fall and a "less serious" one. It often helps to decrease its physical and psychological consequences. It enables you to regain your confidence more quickly and to continue to be as independent as possible.
What to Do After a Fall… If You CAN Get Up
Follow These Five Steps for Getting Up
What to Do After a Fall… If You Are the WITNESS
When to See a Doctor
Whether you're the victim or the witness of a fall, never underestimate its seriousness. Even if it appears no harm was done, there could be after-effects.
Here Are Some of the Reasons for Seeing a Doctor
Symptoms may appear in the days that follow a fall. If you fall, take note of your condition. If you witness a fall, take note of the person's condition.
In some cases, a fall may be the sign of an illness, or it may be caused by medication. It's always better to mention falls to your doctor. He or she can then assess the situation and see if the fall is linked to an illness, prescribed medication or over-the-counter drugs.
Preventing Another Fall
Surroundings It's a good idea to check your environment to discover any fall hazards, particularly if you have had a fall. Simple changes to prevent falls include grab bars, non-slip rugs and a handrail on both sides of stairs.
Shoes Wearing unsuitable footwear increases the risk of falling. Make sure your shoes have non-slip soles and heels of reasonable height, and are wide enough to prevent any twisting of the foot. A good heel cup that goes around the back of the heel also stabilizes the ankle.
Taking Precautions
Thinking about your fall, come up with a plan so that you'll feel in control for the future. Share this plan with your family and neighbours. Consider getting an emergency call device or always have a cordless phone close at hand, especially if you fall often. Ask a friend or a family member to phone you at regular intervals, or get this service from a company or a volunteer centre. Give your keys to someone you trust who could use them in an emergency. In short, think about what you can do to get help if you have a fall.
First Aid for Falling
Treatment will vary depending on the injuries. But it is important
What to Do After a Fall… If You CAN Get Up
- The first thing to do is to catch your breath. Check and see if you are injured. Even if you think you're OK, take your time before getting up again.
Follow These Five Steps for Getting Up
- Lie on your side, bend the leg that is on top and lift yourself onto your elbows or hands.
- Pull yourself toward an armchair or other sturdy object, then kneel while placing both hands on the chair or object.
- Place your stronger leg in front, holding on to the chair or object.
- Stand up.
- Very carefully, turn and sit down.
- If you feel any discomfort or are unable to get up, try to get help.
- Call out for help if you think you can be heard.
- If you have an emergency call device or telephone at hand, use it.
- If you don't, try to slide yourself towards a telephone or a place where you will be heard.
- Make noise with your cane or another object to attract attention.
- Wait for help in the most comfortable position for you.
- If you can, place a pillow under your head and cover yourself with a piece of clothing or a blanket to stay warm.
- Try to move your joints to ease circulation and prevent stiffness.
What to Do After a Fall… If You Are the WITNESS
- If you see someone fall, resist the urge to get the person up immediately. First check for condition: is the person conscious or unconscious? Does the person appear to be injured? Reassure the person.
- If the individual cannot get up, call for help and administer first aid if you are able to do so. Help the person find a comfortable position and keep him or her warm using an item of clothing or blanket.
- If the individual appears able to get up, proceed with care and follow the steps below.
- Bring a chair close by; help the person turn onto the side and bend the upper leg; help the person into a semi-seated position.
- Placing yourself behind the person and getting a firm grip on the hips, help the person to a kneeling position with both hands on the chair.
- Holding on to the chair, the person should then place the stronger leg in front. You may help by guiding his or her leg.
- With a firm grip on the hips, help the person to stand, then turn and sit on the chair.
When to See a Doctor
Whether you're the victim or the witness of a fall, never underestimate its seriousness. Even if it appears no harm was done, there could be after-effects.
Here Are Some of the Reasons for Seeing a Doctor
- loss of consciousness just before or after the fall
- injuries
- a strong or lingering pain
- dizziness
- nausea
- overall weakness
- headaches
- vision problems
Symptoms may appear in the days that follow a fall. If you fall, take note of your condition. If you witness a fall, take note of the person's condition.
In some cases, a fall may be the sign of an illness, or it may be caused by medication. It's always better to mention falls to your doctor. He or she can then assess the situation and see if the fall is linked to an illness, prescribed medication or over-the-counter drugs.
Preventing Another Fall
Surroundings It's a good idea to check your environment to discover any fall hazards, particularly if you have had a fall. Simple changes to prevent falls include grab bars, non-slip rugs and a handrail on both sides of stairs.
Shoes Wearing unsuitable footwear increases the risk of falling. Make sure your shoes have non-slip soles and heels of reasonable height, and are wide enough to prevent any twisting of the foot. A good heel cup that goes around the back of the heel also stabilizes the ankle.
Taking Precautions
Thinking about your fall, come up with a plan so that you'll feel in control for the future. Share this plan with your family and neighbours. Consider getting an emergency call device or always have a cordless phone close at hand, especially if you fall often. Ask a friend or a family member to phone you at regular intervals, or get this service from a company or a volunteer centre. Give your keys to someone you trust who could use them in an emergency. In short, think about what you can do to get help if you have a fall.
First Aid for Falling
Treatment will vary depending on the injuries. But it is important
- to administer first aid for every victim of falls. Emergency medical services should be called if suspected of broken bones or fall from heights. Disclaimer: the following steps are to be taken as hints and do not substitute for a physician’s medical advice.
- Check and monitor for consciousness. Check for pulse, airway and breathing. Commence CPR, if necessary.
- Cover the victim with a coat or blanket to reduce risks for shock.
- Look for signs of fractures and bone dislocation in the head, body and extremities. Carry out first aid if necessary.
- If there are no broken bones and other suspected injuries, put the victim in recovery position.
- Do not leave the victim alone and wait for paramedics to arrive.
- First aid is applicable in many different scenarios. Joining first aid and CPR courses will consist of hands-on training for accidents that include falling and its supplementary injuries.
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Videos
References
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/publicati ... g.php
http://firstaidreddeer.ca/first-aid-for-falling/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p25uD-lqbCU
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/ ... .html
http://www.firstaidreference.com/first-aid-head-ne ... /167/
http://firstaidreddeer.ca/first-aid-for-falling/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p25uD-lqbCU
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/ ... .html
http://www.firstaidreference.com/first-aid-head-ne ... /167/
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