During a syncope episode, what should you do first?

In the event of a syncope episode, the priority is to ensure that the patient is safe and that blood flow is restored to vital organs, particularly the brain. Positioning the patient supine (lying flat on their back) and elevating their legs helps facilitate venous return to the heart. This position can improve circulation and is key to countering the effects of reduced blood flow that may be causing the syncope. Elevating the legs allows gravity to assist in directing blood that has pooled in the lower parts of the body back towards the brain, potentially hastening recovery from the fainting spell.

While assessing pulse and respiration, administering oxygen, or providing sugar in cases of suspected hypoglycemia are all important steps in patient care, these actions are secondary to ensuring proper positioning first. Without proper positioning, the effectiveness of subsequent interventions may be hampered, especially if the patient remains in a compromised posture during this critical moment. Thus, elevating the legs while the patient is supine is the immediate and correct response to address the situation effectively.