When a person falls, the immediate instinct is often to rush to their aid, but this impulse can sometimes cause more harm to the fallen individual or the helper. The priority is ensuring safety for everyone involved before any movement is attempted. Safely assisting someone who has fallen involves a careful sequence of assessment, decision-making, and proper technique.
Immediate Action and Injury Check
The first action is to pause and survey the immediate area for hazards, such as spilled liquids, loose rugs, or clutter, that may have caused the fall or could impede assistance. If the environment is unsafe, attempt to mitigate the danger or move the person only if their current location poses a greater and immediate threat, such as being in the path of traffic.
Once the scene is secure, establish communication with the fallen individual to gauge their consciousness and responsiveness. Kneel or sit close to the person to offer comfort and reassurance, keeping your voice steady and calm. Ask simple questions like, “Are you hurt?” and “Where do you feel pain?” to understand their current state.
Perform a swift visual inspection for obvious signs of trauma or injury. Look for active bleeding, swelling, or limbs resting at an unnatural angle, which can indicate a fracture or dislocation. Even if they claim they are fine, note any signs of confusion, agitation, or shallow breathing, as these can indicate shock or serious internal issues. Do not attempt to move the person’s head, neck, or back, as this could exacerbate a spinal injury.
Decision Criteria for Seeking Emergency Help
The initial assessment determines whether to call for professional medical assistance. If the person is unconscious or has lost consciousness at any point, emergency medical services must be contacted immediately. Similarly, if the person is severely confused, disoriented, or unable to communicate clearly, a professional response is warranted.
Immediate emergency help is necessary if the person reports intense pain, especially in the head, neck, or back, or if there is visible deformity suggesting a broken bone. If the individual cannot move a limb without extreme pain, or if they have significant bleeding that does not stop with light pressure, do not attempt to move them. Moving someone with a suspected fracture or spinal injury can cause permanent damage.
If the helper has physical limitations or lacks confidence in safely managing the lift, call for help. If the person is significantly heavier than you, or if you cannot lift them without straining yourself, calling trained emergency personnel protects both parties from further injury. If the degree of injury is unclear or the person is unable to assist in the lift, deferring to medical professionals is the safest decision.
Step-by-Step Safe Lifting Methods
If the assessment suggests no serious injury and the person is cooperative and able to assist, a safe, non-direct lifting technique can be employed. The goal is to avoid lifting the person straight up from the floor, which places immense strain on the helper’s back and the fallen person’s joints. The process involves controlled movements using the person’s own strength and available furniture.
First, help the person roll onto their side, then slowly assist them into a hands-and-knees position, often called crawling position. Ensure they take a few moments to steady themselves at this level to avoid a sudden drop in blood pressure that could cause dizziness. Next, bring a sturdy, non-wheeled chair or a stable piece of furniture, such as the arm of a sofa, close to their head.
Encourage the person to crawl toward the stable object and place both hands firmly on it. The helper should position themselves behind the fallen person, with a wide stance and bent knees, to provide support without directly lifting. Instruct the person to bring their strongest foot forward, placing it flat on the floor as if beginning a lunge.
The person should then push up using their arms on the furniture and their leg muscles, with the helper providing steady, controlled support at the person’s waist or hips. The helper must keep their back straight and use their leg muscles to brace and assist the movement, never pulling directly on the person’s arms or clothing. Once they reach a stable sitting position on the edge of the chair or couch, they should rest for several minutes.
Next Steps After the Person is Up
Once the person is safely seated or standing, the immediate need is to monitor them for any delayed reactions to the fall. Have the person remain seated for a period, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, to allow their blood pressure and heart rate to stabilize. Watch closely for signs like paleness, rapid breathing, excessive sweating, or increased confusion, which can indicate shock or a delayed onset of symptoms.
Offer a small amount of water to aid rehydration, but avoid giving them food right away in case their condition declines and requires medical intervention. Even if the person feels fine, it is prudent to monitor their condition over the next 24 hours, as some symptoms like a concussion or internal pain may not manifest immediately. Any new or worsening pain, or a change in mental status, requires an immediate call to a medical professional.
Contacting a primary care physician to report the fall is a sensible next action, even in the absence of obvious injury. Falls can often be a symptom of an underlying health issue, such as medication side effects, vision changes, or balance problems. A medical review can help identify risk factors and implement preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of a future incident.