If a Fall Happens
By David C. King, PT, MS
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

So you did everything right. You wore shoes with forgiving soles. You did your exercises and trained your balance as best you could. You were careful about taking your medications properly. Yet somehow you’ve taken a tumble. How you act now is very important. If you’ve thought about it in advance recovering from a fall can be a calm and safe experience, but a lack of preparation can lead to panic and possibly an injury that didn’t need to happen.

Don’t Rus to Get Up

First rule, “Do not rush to get up”. Unless you’ve fallen in a mud puddle or the middle of traffic there is no need to rush. You’re on the ground, you can’t fall again. It would be better for you to catch your breath, make sure you are unhurt and then do what needs to be done to get up. There is no need to feel embarrassed, but if you do, it is better to suffer a little embarrassment than to hurt yourself by rushing to get up.

Know What You Will Say

If you’ve fallen in a public place there is a good chance that someone is going to try to yank you to your feet. This is when you should remember the phrase that pays, “Thank you for coming please let me catch my breath, and then please help me up”. This will let your rescuer catch their breath and think about how to safely help you up rather than yanking your arms out of their sockets.

Keep Calm: No Shouting Aloud

You and many people around you will feel that shot of adrenaline. But you need to keep things calm so people can think about safety. If you are calm it can have a calming effect on others. If someone is a bit panicked and their voice is raised it can quickly spread to others including your spouse and loved ones. So if someone in the area has raised their voice you can reverse the situation by keeping your voice calm and suggesting that everyone stop to take a breath.

Make Sure You Are Not Hurt

Take just a minute to feel your body, look for any wounds, and make sure that the legs you are going to try to stand on again are unhurt. The shock of falling may momentarily mask any pain so take a second to see that you are ok. And if an injury is discovered, again try to keep things calm.

If You'r the Person's Spouse or Friend

First, all of the above applies to you as well. Don’t rush the person who’s fallen to get up too soon. Be ready to address others who are moving too quickly – again the phrase that pays “Please let us catch our breath, and then please help me get him/her up”. Be calm, keep your voice calm but do assert yourself if necessary – don’t let others argue. Keep your instructions simple and give them one step at a time. Make sure the person is unhurt.

1. Ask the person who has fallen, “Do you hurt anywhere”?

2. Instruct the person to move different parts of their body while observing for the following signs:

• Inability to move

• Guarded movement

• Facial grimacing

• Other body language which may be associated with discomfort

3. Inspect any area that is painful for bleeding or obvious fracture.

• If a fracture is suspected, do not move the person

• If bleeding is present, apply pressure over the source

4. To decrease the risk of injury.

• Allow the person to move independently as much as they are able

• If possible bring them a chair to use as an assistive device to get up

• Ask the person to first come to a sitting position and rest in this position before attempting to get up.

Preparedness Helps

There are several ways to be prepared for a fall. First is to have the ability to call for help if you are home alone. Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) the famous “I’ve fallen and can’t get up” buttons are a good idea to have if you are at risk for falls. In my years as a therapist I have treated several individuals who fell at home and spent several days alone on the floor unable to call for help. A simple button worn like a watch or pendant would have helped them tremendously. Having your phone accessible from the floor can help. If you are unable to rise but able to crawl, a phone on a bed side table or desk top may be in reach when a wall mounted phone may be too high.

Keeping a Cell Phone With You Can Be a Great Relief

Making neighbors aware of an individual’s frailty is important. I have asked my father’s neighbors to go knock on his door if he fails to pick up his newspaper from the driveway. And two neighbors who are long time friends have his door key. Letting your neighbors read this article would be a good idea too.

9-1-1

It is ok to dial 9-1-1 for help after a fall. In some areas a police car may be sent around and in others a paramedic may respond. Most emergency responders are more than happy to be of help to someone who has fallen. If you think you or your spouse may be injured in an attempt to get off the floor a call for help is prudent. While I hope you never have to use the instructions above it is important to think about how to act in an emergency before it occurs. Please share these thoughts with others who may be around you at a time of need.

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