All first-aid topics

Stroke

FAST — face, arms, speech, time

A stroke is a brain attack. Brain cells die every minute. The faster they reach a hospital, the more of their brain you save.

F — Face

Ask them to smile. Does one side of their face droop? Is one eye drooping?

A — Arms

Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down or feel weak?

S — Speech

Ask them to repeat a simple sentence ("the sky is blue today"). Is their speech slurred or strange?

T — Time

If any of the above are abnormal, call 108 RIGHT NOW. Note the time symptoms started — paramedics will ask.

Keep them safe until help arrives

Lay them on their side with head slightly raised. Don't give food, water, or medicine. Stay with them.

Time is brain

Treatments work best within the first hours. Even if symptoms come and go, call 108 — it can still be a stroke.

These are short summaries, not training. Always call 108 in a life-threatening situation. If you've been trained in first-aid, follow your training.

Other guides

Call 108 — Ambulance