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Fainting

Ok, as promised, here is it.
Phew! It's going to be a long post, so hang in there
Credits: medicinenet.com

Definition

Fainting (syncope) is the partial or complete loss of consciousness with interruption of awareness of oneself and ones surroundings. When the loss of consciousness is temporary and there is spontaneous recovery, it is referred to as syncope(sin-ko-pea) or, in nonmedical terms, fainting.

Syncope is due to a temporary reduction in blood flow and therefore a shortage of oxygen to the brain. This leads to lightheadedness or a "black out" episode, a loss of consciousness. Temporary impairment of the blood supply to the brain can be caused by heart conditions and by conditions that do not directly involve the heart.

Causes (pertaining to drill/being on parade)

1. Dehydration

Our body needs a certain amount of fluid to function well.

During parades, when you sweat a lot, there is a loss of fluids which can cause dehydration

To solve the problem, always drink a lot of water before you come for practices/parades. Drinking isotonic drinks helps too.

2. Hunger

Lack of food causes your body to have less energy to carry out the necessary functions. Something like a parade really requires your energy and strength, so if you havent eaten, your body processes will start to shut down as there's not enough energy left.

Please, please, please always remember to eat before you have a parade or need to do drill. Take care of your body and it's needs!

3. Reduction in blood circulation

Often, this is the major cause of most people fainting on parade. When we are in a stationary position, blood circulation is reduced and when less oxygen gets to your brain you feel light-headed and black-out.

That's why we always walk around and ask you all to shift the weight from one foot to another or wringle your toes. Try to improve your circulation when standing still.

4. Fatigue

People faint when they are really tired so try not to go out and party late into the night before a parade the next day. ;)

5. Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation happens when you are very tensed and start breathing too quickly. This causes your heart to overwork and places tremendous stress on your body.

It happened to me once before and I felt like I was suffocating because not enough oxygen was getting to me.

So... relax! :) Dont have to be so tensed. Like we've said many times before, we are not tt scary. Just stand, breathe normally, and think of where you'll be going shopping later or the nice movie you'll be watching after the parade or the air-con place you want to go to or the nice hot bath you'll take after all these is over. Heh, i guess you get my point.

Lastly, your well-being is really the most important thing to all of us officers. We really dont want you to faint or worst still, just fall flat on the ground. It can be very dangerous if you say that you dont want to come out even tho you are not feeling well already. We would always rather you fall out than you fall literally.
So with these points, we hope you all will be more prepared to take on any parades you may have or even for the normal drill sessions these are always good things to look out for. Eat, sleep, drink well! :)