Would You Have Stopped? Recognising the Signs of a Stroke Could Save a Life

In 2006, Indigenous elder and opera singer Delmae Barton was on her way to work at Griffith University when she became seriously unwell and collapsed at a bus stop near the university's Nathan campus.

She spent around five and a half hours lying there, vomiting and unable to get herself to safety. She later stated she rolled herself face down to save her life, while no one stopped to help her. 

Reports state she lay there for around five hours before two Japanese students stopped, offered her water and called an ambulance and described her condition as a suspected stroke (ABC, 2007).

What happens during a stroke?

A stroke happens when the brain does not get the blood it needs. This can happen because a blood clot or plaque blocks an artery, known as an ischaemic stroke, or because a blood vessel breaks or bursts, known as a haemorrhagic stroke.

Without enough blood and oxygen, brain cells can begin to die very quickly. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is affected and how much of the brain is involved (Stroke Foundation, 2022).

Stroke is always a medical emergency.

The important thing is that you do not need to diagnose a stroke yourself. You just need to recognise that something is wrong and get help.

When assumptions can be dangerous

I have seen a similar assumption play out in a hospital setting.

A doctor looked at a patient and asked another nurse, "How many beers do you think he had?"

It turned out the patient was actively having a stroke.

That moment has always stuck with me because it shows how easily we can explain away unusual behaviour. Someone may look drunk, confused, exhausted or simply not themselves. We can decide what we think is happening before we have actually stopped and assessed the person.

That can be dangerous.

Delmae's story is a powerful reminder that we should be careful about making assumptions about someone based on how they look or behave.

Remember F.A.S.T.

If you are worried that someone may be having a stroke, remember F.A.S.T.

F is for Face. Has their mouth drooped?

A is for Arms. Can they lift both arms?

S is for Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

T is for Time. Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 immediately.

The Stroke Foundation recommends F.A.S.T. as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. It also identifies other possible signs, including sudden dizziness or loss of balance, an unexplained fall, vision changes, severe headache, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting (Stroke Foundation, n.d.).

That last point is important.

Stroke does not always look textbook.

Someone may be confused, unsteady, vomiting or behaving very differently from normal. The signs can vary depending on which part of the brain is affected.

You do not need to work out exactly what is wrong.

You need to recognise that something is not right and get help.

Stop.

Look at the person in front of you.

Ask yourself whether they are behaving normally and whether something has changed.

If something is not right, call 000.

You do not need to be a doctor to recognise an emergency.

And you certainly should not have to wait until you are completely sure before you stop and help.

Would you have stopped?

Interested in learning first aid? Explore our courses and upcoming training dates with the Australian First Aid Institution.

At the Australian First Aid Institution, we cover stroke recognition, emergency response and what to do when someone suddenly becomes unwell in our First Aid courses.

References

ABC. (2007, May 10). William the Conqueror: William Barton. Australian Story. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-10/william-the-conqueror/9173558

ABC Radio PM. (2006, March 7). Indigenous elder says plight ignored due to race. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pm/indigenous-elder-says-plight-ignored-due-to-race/814010

Stroke Foundation. (n.d.). About stroke. https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/about-stroke

Stroke Foundation. (n.d.). Signs of stroke. https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/signs-of-stroke