Planning For Help

If you fall:
- Don’t panic
- STAY CALM
- Catch your breath and compose yourself after the shock
- When you are ready, check your body
If you can get up:
If you are not badly injured – if you believe you have a broken bone – and can get up:
- Find a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a chair, that can be used to help stand
- From your position, slowly roll onto your side, and crawl or drag yourself to the chair
- Then, from a kneeling position, put your arms up onto the seat of the chair and bring one knee forward. Put that foot on the floor
- Push up with your arms and legs, and pivot your bottom around
- Sit down on the chair and rest before trying to move again
- Assess your injuries and, if you need to, call for help
If you cannot get up:
- Work to your prepared plan
- Take your time to think through all the possibilities for attracting attention, getting help or moving
- Consider the patterns that people in the local area live to and the activities that take place – what is the ideal time to call out to attract attention?
- If your injury permits, slowly and carefully drag yourself to a phone or a place where you will be noticed
- While you wait for assistance, try to stay warm and, if possible, gently move around to stop one part of your body getting too much pressure
- Once you have received assistance, it is vital that you immediately seek professional medical help to treat any injuries