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Act Now

Crisis path

Act Now — After a Fall

Answer these questions in order. They will resolve to a specific next step in under a minute.

Triage sequence

  1. 1Emergency

    Is there a head injury, visible deformity, a hip or bone that looks out of place, uncontrolled bleeding, chest pain, or loss of consciousness?

    Call 911 now. Do not try to move the person unless they are in immediate danger where they fell.

  2. 2Emergency

    Is the person unable to move an arm or leg, or unable to bear any weight when trying to get up?

    Call 911 or a non-emergency medical line right away. Keep the person still and warm while you wait.

  3. 3Prompt call

    Does the person take a blood thinner (such as warfarin, apixaban, or rivaroxaban), or are they confused, unusually drowsy, or not acting like themselves?

    Call their doctor promptly, even if they seem okay. Head injuries on blood thinners and sudden confusion both need same-day medical review.

  4. 4Monitor

    Can the person move all limbs, bear weight, and answer clearly, with no head strike or anticoagulant use?

    It's reasonable to help them up carefully and monitor at home for the next 24 hours. Watch for new pain, swelling, confusion, or dizziness.

When in doubt, call 911. It is always the safer default.

Edge case, or want the full branching logic?

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