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What to do if you Fall

What to Do to Prepare Yourself for Recovery from a Fall

Review these steps often so that you can be prepared in case you fall:

If you are prone to falling, have poor balance or are in poor health, consider using a personal alarm that is connected to an emergency response system so that you can call for help.
In common rooms (e.g., bathroom, bedroom and living room), place your telephone somewhere that it can be easily reached from the floor.
Keep a blanket within a reachable distance from the floor in case you are unable to get up and need to keep warm.
Have someone close to you check on you daily, such as a family member or neighbour, and let them know when you will be away.

What to Do After a Fall… If You CAN Get Up

Follow These Five Steps for Getting Up:

Stay calm and assess your situation.
Turn onto your side, bend the leg that is on top and lift yourself onto your elbows or hands.
Crawl on your hands and knees toward a chair or other sturdy piece of furniture, then kneel while placing both hands on the stairs or furniture.
Place your stronger leg in front, holding on to the furniture for support.
Stand up and, carefully, turn and sit down.

For further information and step by step instructions on how to get up from a fall follow the link below.

What to do if you fall pamphlet (Vancouver Coastal Health)

What to Do After a Fall… If You CANNOT Get Up

If you think you are injured, or you are feeling dizzy, do not try to get up.

Instead, try to get help.

Stay calm and assess your situation.
If you have an emergency call device or telephone at hand, use it.
If you don't, call out for help if you think you can be heard or try to slide or crawl towards a telephone or a place where you will be heard.
Make noise with a cane or any object at hand to attract attention.
Wait for help in the most comfortable position for you.
If you can, use anything that is accessible to help you stay comfortable and warm.
Try to move your joints to ease circulation and prevent stiffness.

If you've witnessed a fall, follow the link below for further information

If you Fall or Witness a Fall (Public Health Agency of Canada)

[1] Produced by Dr. Vicky Scott and the BC Fall and Injury Prevention Coalition

Dr. Vicky Scott, Senior Advisor on Fall & Injury Prevention; BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit, and Ministry of Health Services; Clinical Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, UBC. E: vicky.scott@gov.bc.ca P: 250-952-1520

Health & Seniors Information Line

What to do if you Fall