What to Do if You 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 on avoiding falls and step by step instructions on how to get up from a fall, go to:

• Stay on Your Feet (PDF, 1.4MB) from Vancouver Coastal Health

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 and do the following:

• 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.

For further information on what to do if you fall or see someone else fall, go to:

• If You Fall or Witness a Fall from the Public Health Agency of Canada

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