Remember the man from yesterday whose weak arm recovered after ten minutes?

Now imagine you were beside him when the weakness began.

What would you do?

Today is World Stroke Day. If someone suddenly develops a weak arm, a drooping face or a change in speech, one sign is enough to suspect a stroke. Get help immediately.

While help is being arranged:

• Note the exact time the symptoms started.

• Keep the person safe, calm and supported.

• If the person becomes unconscious but is still breathing, place them on their side.

• If the person stops breathing, begin CPR if you know how, or follow instructions from the emergency call handler.

Do not give food, water or herbal mixtures. A stroke may affect swallowing and the person could choke.

Do not give aspirin unless a medical professional tells you to. Some strokes are caused by a burst blood vessel, and aspirin could make the bleeding worse.

Do not massage the weak arm or leg. Do not wait for sleep, prayer or a home remedy to make the symptoms disappear.

Pray for sure. But let prayer happen while help is already on the way.

The first treatment is not at home. It is getting the person to the hospital fast.

Save this post. Someone may need you to remember it.