Learn these three simple things and save someone's life.

[Class One]

Stroke is something that can affect anyone at anytime. Stroke and heart disease are the two biggest single killers in Britain today. Most of you may know someone who has had a stroke. So if you do happen upon someone collapsed in the street , try and use the following information. Its not rocket science and may help someone survive as early intervention is paramount in the victim's recovery.

Read and remember the the 3 tests!

 

 

A stroke occurs when

oxygen fails to reach some part of the brain.

 

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

 

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke

victim will (WILL!) suffer brain damage if people nearby fail to recognise

the symptoms of a stroke, and take action. Now doctors say a bystander can

recognise a stroke by asking the victim three simple questions:

 

*Ask the individual to SMILE.

 

 

*Ask them to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

 

 

*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently (e.g. "It is sunny out today.")

 

 

If they have trouble with ANY of these tasks, call 999 immediately and

describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

 

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify

facial weakness / arm weakness / and speech problems, researchers now

urge the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their

conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last

February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis

and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

[GeordieSteve]

Well done that man. My cuz has a stroke at 18 while walking down a street. Now only has the use of one side of his body... doesn't stop him touring and playing with world famous bands playing bass and guitar. He's a hero of mine

[michael]

What if they are just drunk?

[Aerotop Dave]

With both arms above their heads their pockets will have free access, so nick their wallet and run. If drunk they won't be able to catch up.

[Class One]

What if they are just drunk?

 

Well you'll smell the alcohol on them for a start.

 

 

This isn't a definitive guide, but when people usually collapse its because its

alcohol,diabetes (hyper/hypo glyceamia), heart attack or stroke. When someone collapses from stroke its very hard to diagnose. These 3 things JUST might help.That's all.

[Paul]

What if they are just drunk?

 

LOL. BTW, I had a stroke this morning (different sort though)

[Bobbeh]

LOL. BTW, I had a stroke this morning (different sort though)

 

Disturbing

[Green Peace]

They presented their

conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last

February. .

 

...and after a few bottles of wine, couldn't string a sentance together, got bored of raising their arms to ask questions and was unhappy with the outcome!

 

Meanwhile outside the Confrence hall..F.L.A.B. (Fat Liberation Against Bikinis) were protesting to bring back butter and ditch proactive marge

 

So 'Raise ya hands if ya avin a good time' if not then call 999

 

Soz Im pisssseeed!

 

(seriously good advice though thanks)

[Rob]

When I was on holiday cycling thru northern France, I was doing 60-70miles a day, barely eating, but still injecting my usual amount of insulin.

 

One morning I woke up in the tent and the entire right side of my body didn't work at all. Chrsit, I thought I was done for there and then.

 

Turned out after a few brain scans to have been an extreme form of hypo-glycaemia. Quite troubling though at the time.

[Nic]

Thanks for the advice Dug

 

This is a subject close to my heart, as my dad had 2 strokes within a year of each other nearly 10 years ago, the first whilst hoildaying on a Greek Island (he had to be airlifted to Athens by greek airforce helicopter.)

 

The first affected the side of his brain that controls speach, he got most of his speach back, but the second affected the other side of his brain and left him partially paralised on his right side. It changed him profoundly, but over the years he has made a big recovery, he still can't walk well and he has difficulty finding words sometimes, but he enjoys life and has tried hard not to let the stroke beat him. It is a terrible thing and can have a devastating effect on the victim and the rest of the family. My Dad is my biggest hero, he always use to be very active before the stroke, he's not able to do a lot of the things he use to before, but it has not effected his spirit.

[J4CK50N]

Good advice - nice one

[Terminator]

Perhaps this could be made a sticky thread for a while as this is a very important message and the more people who see it the better.

 

On a completely different note, when I was into bikes was always scared that if I came off and was unconscious some idiot might try to pull the helmet off and break my neck.

[Simon]

In addition knowledge of CPR is also invaluable and I mean knowledge as in being able to administer it.

 

It used to that in Germany you had too pass a First Aid course as part of your driving qualification, I don't know if it still is or even if it is part of the UK requirements.