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Fall Prevention: How to Handle a Fall

Leigh Nova, Linda B. Bobroff, and Wendy W. Lynch

Follow these steps to decrease the chance of further injury after a fall.

Do not panic.

After a fall, panic is often the first reaction. It is essential to stay calm and remain still so you can think clearly and take the appropriate steps to get help if needed.

Check for injuries.

Do not get up if you think you may have a broken bone or another injury. Yell for help or crawl to the telephone and call for help.

Get up if you can.

If you can get up, do so slowly. Here is how to get up safely:

Step 1. Roll over onto your side. Rest to allow blood pressure to adjust.

person on floor demonstrating laying on side, arrows indicate turning over
Figure 1.
Credit: Kaylan B. Hebert, UF/IFAS

Step 2. Crawl to a stable chair.

person demonstrating crawling to chair
Figure 2.
Credit: Kaylan B. Hebert, UF/IFAS

Step 3. Put hands on the seat of the chair. Pull yourself up.

person with hands on edge of chair seat, kneeling and preparing to stand
Figure 3.
Credit: Kaylan B. Hebert, UF/IFAS

Step 4. Bring one leg forward, bending the knee with your foot flat on the floor. The other leg will be bent, knee on the floor.

demonstrating one hand on edge of seat, one in middle with fingers towards camera
Figure 4.
Credit: Kaylan B. Hebert, UF/IFAS

Step 5. Slowly turn and sit in the chair.

demonstrates seated on chair after slow turn with hands on side edge of chair closest to camera
Figure 5.
Credit: Kaylan B. Hebert, UF/IFAS

Make a list of phone numbers of people you can call in an emergency. Keep the list by the phone. If you need help immediately, call 911.

These videos demonstrate how to get up from a fall: https://youtu.be/ytXndx5Gako, https://youtu.be/Qpl8E-7drdc

Recommended resources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures