What to do
1 Follow DRSABCD.
2 Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
3 Reassure the patient. The patient may not be able to clearly communicate which may cause them extreme anxiety.
4 Help the patient to sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Support the patient’s head and shoulders on pillows.
5 Loosen any tight clothing.
6 Keep the patient warm, with a blanket if necessary.
7 Wipe away any secretions from the patient’s mouth.
Note
If you recognise the following signs of a stroke, act FAST:
F – facial weakness
A – arm weakness
S – speech difficulty
T – time to act fas
Signs and symptoms
• feeling of numbness in face, arm or leg
• disturbed vision
• loss of balance
• weakness or paralysis, especially on one side of the body
• faintness, dizziness
• confusion
• loss of consciousness
• difficulty speaking or understanding