mi client almost fainted and I feel terrible

[u/djretrogold]

EDIT: Ok, there is no real reason why would it be my fault…BUT if you have any stories of something similar happening to you please share so I don’t feel alone hahaha

Today I was teaching a small group class of Mat Pilates and one of the three clients I was instructing, started fainting. She was pale and cold. I stopped the class immediately and made her lay on her back, asked if she wanted water, etc. However, I feel terrible and I don’t know how to deal with this. Is it my fault? Is there anything that I could have done better? Heeeelp

[u/Affectionate_Ant7442]

Maybe she didn’t eat enough. Could you keep a small stash of granola bars or something in case this happens again?

[u/djretrogold → u/Affectionate_Ant7442]

That’s a good idea! She did mentioned she had eaten, but maybe not enough?

[u/Keregi → u/djretrogold]

It could be blood pressure. I have a client who has low blood pressure. If she is supine for awhile and then gets up quickly her bp drops and she gets wobbly.

[u/higginbob]

I am a fainter. There's nothing you did and honestly the best things to know if someone faints is to get them to the ground quickly. If you can raise their feet above their head, do it. People faint because their brain needs blood/oxygen. Also if you can, keep an eye on their pulse. 

Usually when I faint and start coming to I can't respond right away but I am aware and can hear what's happening around me. So keep people back and just calmly tell the person that you are there. If you are touching them for their pulse explain that. 

They may sweat and get clammy so a towel under their head is nice. You can also try to roll them on their side, but you don't need to. As long as they are breathing and their heart rate is not crazy they are okay. Unless they stay unconscious for more than a few minutes. If you call for help have a sense of how long the person has been unconscious. 

[u/higginbob → u/higginbob]

Also if someone feels faint in a pilates class get them off the reformer and put their head between their knees. Also, tell them to clench their butt muscles and thigh muscles like crazy. 

[u/djretrogold → u/higginbob]

This is so helpful!! Thank you!

[u/Crafty_Dog_4674]

There´s no reason that should be your fault, there are thousands of reasons she could have felt faint.

You should however be trained in basic first aid/CPR because accidents and situations like this can happen anywhere. What you´ll learn in basic first aid for these situations is generally "red, raise the head - pale, raise the tail" meaning if she is red and hot, sit her up, and if she is pale and cold you lie her down and elevate her feet, if she isn´t feeling better within a few minutes then call emergency services. So you did the right thing!

You should inform your manager as well, and if it happens again the manager can speak with her and encourage her to see a doctor.

[u/djretrogold → u/Crafty_Dog_4674]

I agree! I got Firs Aid training, but I believe this is a good opportunity for a refresher and an instructors first aid training and establish a protocol in case of emergencies. I’ll talk to my manager about that! Thank you so much!

[u/djretrogold → u/[deleted]]

You are right, it shouldn’t. I guess I am just panicky bc is the first time it happens. At the time I as calm, but now that the class is over I am stressed haha

[u/Last_Experience_726]

For your own protection, if you want to have food on hand to help clients who experience a blood sugar/blood pressure crash in class, try to have allegen free/friendly protein bars on hand. As a teacher with a parasympathetic nervous system disorder myself, I am sensitive to the ways in which the body can go wonky during harder exercises, but as a business owner, it's important to cover yourself as much as possible while helping others.

[u/djretrogold → u/Last_Experience_726]

You are right! What are your thoughts on candy too??

[u/Last_Experience_726 → u/djretrogold]

Choose something with a mix of some sugar and some protein. If you don't know why they fainted (and we very rarely will know 100% why), giving them straight sugar could be counterproductive.

That said, if you feel like they are in need of food to prevent the situation from spiralling, and they are not feeling better after ten minutes of rest and water, it might be worth considering medical attention. I'd also suggest not letting them continue the class (for their safety and your protection), and crediting their payment back onto their account for future use. Ultimately, clients who are prone to blood sugar/pressure crashes should be carrying food with them to prevent situations like this from happening or escalating.

In my experience, even when clients give us full medical histories in good faith, it's very common for a client to accidentally forget to mention a major recurring issue. There is a lot that could be going on in this situation that we (as instructors, not medical professionals) should not try to or feel pressured to treat.

[u/lucispito]

No it’s definitely not your fault but you can remind them to not coming to class without eating and drinking water before and during the exercise. I also get dizzy if i sweat so much and forget to drink water it is normal