Australian quick reference
Stroke: use FAST and call 000
A quick way to recognise possible stroke signs and act without delay.
The short answer
Use FAST for sudden Face, Arm or Speech changes. Call 000 for an ambulance immediately, even if the signs improve, and record when they started or when the person was last known well.
Act on sudden change
Use FAST, then call 000
If any Face, Arm or Speech sign is present, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. Do not wait for certainty or for the signs to settle.
| What you find | Do next |
|---|---|
| Any FAST sign | Face drooping, one arm weak or drifting, or speech slurred or difficult to understand: call 000 immediately and note when it started. |
| Other sudden neurological signs | Sudden vision change, severe headache, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, numbness or collapse also needs an ambulance call to 000. |
| Signs improve or disappear | Still call 000. Brief stroke-like symptoms may be a TIA warning and need urgent assessment; tell the call-taker how long they lasted. |
| While waiting | Keep the person comfortable, monitor response and breathing, and record the exact start time or last known well time. Do not give food, drink or medication unless instructed. |
Four things to remember
See the next decision
These visual cues are a memory aid. In a real emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the call-taker's instructions.
Check for facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty using FAST.
One side of the face may droop when the person smiles.
Do not wait to see if stroke-like signs improve.
Any FAST sign or sudden weakness, numbness, vision change, severe headache, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion or reduced consciousness requires an ambulance call to 000.
Illustrated field notes
See the situation, then choose the next safe action
These original illustrations support recall. They are not a substitute for the written steps, a current first-aid course or the Triple Zero (000) call-taker.
Check Face, Arms and Speech; if any sign appears, call 000.
Use FAST as a recognition aid; do not wait for symptoms to improve.
Tell the call-taker when symptoms started or when the person was last known well.
Keep the person comfortable and do not give food, drink or medication unless instructed.
Visual memory cue
See the pattern before you practise
Use this simple visual reminder alongside the written steps. In a real emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the call-taker's instructions.
01
What to do first
- Check for facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty using FAST.
- Call 000 immediately if any sign is present, or if sudden vision, balance, severe headache, confusion or other neurological symptoms are concerning.
- Record the exact symptom start time, or the last time the person was known to be well.
- Keep the person comfortable, reassure them and monitor response and breathing while waiting.
- If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, start CPR and follow the 000 call-taker.
02
What to avoid
- Do not wait to see if stroke-like signs improve.
- Do not drive the person yourself when an ambulance is available.
- Do not give food, drink or medication unless the 000 call-taker or a health professional instructs you.
03
When to call 000
- Any FAST sign or sudden weakness, numbness, vision change, severe headache, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion or reduced consciousness requires an ambulance call to 000.
04
What to monitor
- Keep checking response and breathing. If unconscious but breathing normally, place the person on their side and keep the airway clear.
Recognition cues
What you may notice
- One side of the face may droop when the person smiles.
- One arm may be weak or drift down when both arms are raised.
- Speech may be slurred, confused or difficult to understand; sudden vision, balance, numbness, severe headache or confusion can also occur.
- The signs may be brief or may improve, but that does not make them safe to ignore.
Avoid these traps
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the signs to improve or trying to drive the person to hospital.
- Failing to record when symptoms started or when the person was last known well.
- Giving food, drink or medication while swallowing may be affected.
- Assuming a child cannot have a stroke or that a less typical sudden neurological sign is not urgent.
FAST can be used for sudden neurological changes in a child. Call 000 for sudden facial or limb weakness, speech or vision changes, severe headache, confusion, collapse or reduced consciousness and follow the call-taker.
When help is on the way
Keep the handover useful
- Keep the person comfortable, monitor response and breathing and stay with them until the ambulance arrives.
- Tell the call-taker the exact time symptoms started, the last time the person was known to be well and how long any signs lasted.
- If symptoms resolve, still follow the 000 pathway because a TIA can be a warning sign.
Practise the pattern
Make it easier to remember
Common questions
Quick answers
What does FAST mean?
Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Ask the person to smile, raise both arms and repeat a phrase; call 000 immediately if a sign is present.
What if the symptoms disappear?
Still call 000. Stroke-like symptoms can be brief, but urgent assessment is still needed.
Why record the time?
Tell the call-taker when symptoms started or the last time the person was known to be well. This helps the ambulance and hospital teams act quickly.
What does FAST stand for?
Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Ask the person to smile, raise both arms and repeat a phrase; call 000 immediately if a sign is present.
What if the symptoms go away?
Still call 000. Brief stroke-like symptoms may be a TIA warning and need urgent assessment.
Why record the time?
Tell the call-taker when symptoms started or the last time the person was known to be well so ambulance and hospital teams can act quickly.
Expanded the opening FAST decision path with other sudden neurological signs, last-known-well timing, TIA escalation, no-food-or-drink guidance and child wording against current Healthdirect, ANZCOR, Stroke Foundation and St John guidance.