Neurological
Stroke — The FAST Test
Use the FAST test for stroke — Face drooping, Arms weakness, Speech slurred, Time to call 000. Every minute counts; lay the person down with head slightly raised and give nothing by mouth.
Use the FAST test for stroke — Face drooping, Arms weakness, Speech slurred, Time to call 000. Every minute counts; lay the person down with head slightly raised and give nothing by mouth.
The FAST test
- F — Face. Has their face drooped on one side? Can they smile evenly?
- A — Arms. Can they lift both arms and hold them there?
- S — Speech. Is their speech slurred? Can they understand you?
- T — Time. Time is brain — call 000 immediately.
Other signs include sudden numbness or weakness, sudden confusion, sudden vision loss, severe headache, dizziness or loss of balance.
What to do
- Call 000 — note the time symptoms started; this affects treatment.
- Follow DRSABCD.
- Lie the person down with their head and shoulders slightly raised.
- Give nothing to eat or drink — swallowing may be affected.
- Reassure them and stay with them.
- If they become unconscious but are breathing, place them in the recovery position.
- If they stop breathing normally, start CPR.
TIA (mini-stroke)
If symptoms resolve quickly, it may have been a transient ischaemic attack. Still call 000 — it is a warning sign of a major stroke.
Questions & answers
How do I use the FAST test?
Face — has their face drooped? Arms — can they lift both arms? Speech — is it slurred? Time — Call 000 immediately if any sign is present.
Why does time matter so much in stroke?
Clot-busting and clot-retrieval treatments only work within a few hours of symptom onset. Every minute counts to save brain tissue.
Should I give them aspirin?
No — strokes can be caused by bleeding in the brain, and aspirin makes that worse. Give nothing by mouth.
Related topics
Heart Attack
Heart attack signs include chest pain or pressure, often spreading to the jaw, arm or back. Call 000 immediately, sit the person down, loosen clothing and give 300 mg of aspirin if they are not allergic.
Seizures and Epilepsy
During a seizure, protect the person from injury, time it, and never restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Afterwards, place them in the recovery position and reassure them.
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