During a stroke, quick action is essential to reduce the intensity of the damage to the brain and nerves. If you encounter anyone suffering from a stroke at the workplace, call the medical service providers before applying for professional first aid. Quick treatment can reduce the risk of death or long-term disability.
Undergoing professional first aid training in Norfolk ensures you have proper knowledge of handling such grave situations. You can easily spot the warning signs of a stroke in yourself and in someone else.
What are the common signs of stroke?
A stroke is a disturbance caused by the blockage of blood flow into the brain from the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
When you take professional first aid training, here are the signs you must look out for in a stroke patient.
What are you looking for:
Face posture
Is the patient smiling? Has the face fallen to one side? If yes, this is an early symptom of stroke. Also, check the pupils of the eyes. If they are unequal, the patient needs immediate care.
Use of arms
Are they able to raise both arms? Or is one of the arms falling on one side? Unable to move arms and hands is another issue that suggests that the patient is suffering from a stroke.
Slurred speech
Is the speech slurred? Is the patient able to repeat a phrase after you? If not, then there’s a high probability that the patient has suffered from a stroke attack.
What to do if someone has a stroke?
If you find these symptoms in a patient, you must immediately take a few first-aid steps to reduce the intensity of the damage.
Call emergency medical services
Once you recognise the stroke symptoms, call the emergency medical services for help. Stay calm and try to keep the patient awake until help arrives.
Lay them in a safe position
Make sure you lay the patient in a safe and comfortable position. Try laying them on one side with your head slightly uplifted to prevent them from vomiting.
Check their breathing
If the patient is not breathing, apply CPR and compressions to ensure proper breathing. Loosen the clothes, tie, and scarves to help the patient relax.
Check for bleeding
Check the patient’s nose and ears for signs of bleeding. If a bleeding wound is present, apply pressure with clean fabric.
Enroll in MJ Training for professional first aid courses. We provide a modern-day approach to classes and training for all health and safety courses. Get in touch with us.