Chapter 7 · First Aid
Stroke (BE FAST)
Every minute counts: treatments that dissolve the clot only work in the first hours. Use BE FAST:
| Letter | What to check |
|---|---|
| B — Balance | Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, falling. |
| E — Eyes | Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, blurred or double vision. |
| F — Face | Ask the person to smile: one side of the face droops. |
| A — Arms | Ask the person to raise both arms: one drifts down or is weak or numb (the leg can be affected too). |
| S — Speech | Slurred speech, can't find words, confusion. |
| T — Time | Call 911 NOW. Note the time the symptoms started or the last time the person was seen normal. |
Do not give food, drink, or medication (the person could choke, and some strokes are caused by bleeding). If they vomit or lose consciousness, use the recovery position.
