Emergency? Call 112 now. Dispatchers will guide you through these steps on the phone.
A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off by a clot or a bleed. Treatments that dissolve or remove clots work best in the first hours, so recognising a stroke quickly and calling for an ambulance is the single most important thing a bystander can do.
Use FAST (or BE FAST)
B — Balance
Sudden loss of balance, dizziness or trouble walking.
E — Eyes
Sudden blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes.
F — Face
Ask them to smile. Does one side droop?
A — Arms
Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
S — Speech
Is speech slurred or strange? Can they repeat a simple phrase?
T — Time
Call your emergency number now and note the time symptoms started.
What to do
- Call your emergency number immediately — say “I think this is a stroke”. Do not drive them yourself unless told to; ambulances can alert the stroke team ahead.
- Note the time the symptoms began, or when the person was last seen well. This determines treatment options. Use our stroke onset timer.
- Keep them safe and comfortable. If conscious, sit or lie them with head and shoulders slightly raised. If unresponsive but breathing, place them in the recovery position.
- Give nothing by mouth — no food, drink or medication. Swallowing may be affected.
- Be ready to start CPR if they stop breathing normally.
Symptoms that disappear still count. A transient ischaemic attack (“mini-stroke”) can resolve within minutes but signals a high risk of a major stroke. Get urgent medical assessment the same day.
Watch: Know the warning signs of stroke with BE FAST
Video hosted on YouTube by its original publisher; embedded for education.
Last reviewed October 22, 2026 against current public guidance from national resuscitation councils and Red Cross / Red Crescent first-aid manuals. General education only — not a substitute for certified training or professional medical advice. Medical disclaimer · Suggest a correction