Emergency action card (printable) — FAST + last known well

Emergency action card (printable) — FAST + last known well

0/20 lessons completed5 min

When a stroke is happening, panic is normal and clear thinking is hard. A one-page action card — on the fridge, in a wallet, or on a phone — turns those frightening minutes into a few simple, pre-decided steps anyone can follow

Why this matters

In the frightening minutes of a stroke, clear thinking is hard. A pre-filled action card means no one has to remember anything — they just follow the steps and make the call

Check FAST

  • Face — ask them to smile; look for one side drooping
  • Arms — ask them to raise both arms; watch for one drifting down
  • Speech — ask them to repeat a simple sentence; listen for slurring
  • Any one sign means act now — you don’t need to be certain

Call your emergency number

  • Dial your local emergency number (write it on the card in large type)
  • Say clearly: “I think this is a stroke”
  • Put the phone on speaker so your hands are free

Record last known well

  • Write the time the person was last seen completely normal
  • If they woke with symptoms, use the time they were last normal before sleep
  • Tell this time to the paramedics — it can decide treatment

What to tell EMS

  • Last-known-well time
  • Current medications, especially blood thinners
  • Major medical conditions and allergies
  • An emergency contact and any ID/insurance details

Watch and connect

What to do if someone has a stroke (first aid) - A first-aid walkthrough that mirrors the action card: check FAST, call, and note the time.

Treat stroke F.A.S.T. - A concise reminder of the FAST steps to keep on hand.

Do this today

Print the card and fill in the blanks now — your emergency number, the person’s key medications, and an emergency contact — then put it where everyone can find it. The goal is that on the worst day, no one has to remember anything; they just follow the card and make the call

★ Key takeaways

  • Keep a one-page stroke action card somewhere visible
  • It runs the FAST check, prompts the emergency call, and captures last known well
  • Pre-fill medications, conditions, and a contact so nothing is forgotten under stress

Lesson quiz

Check this lesson

Answer these lesson-specific questions before continuing. They focus on the decisions, scenarios, and safety points covered above.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. According to the action card, how many FAST signs must be present before you call for help?

Question 2

2. Which details should you pre-fill on the card so they aren’t forgotten in an emergency? Select all that apply.

Select all that apply

Question 3

3. Saying the word “stroke” when you call helps dispatchers send the right team and route to a stroke-ready hospital.

Complete every question, then submit once to see all correct and incorrect answers.

References

  1. American Stroke Association logo
    Tier 1American Stroke Association2024
    Stroke Symptoms (F.A.S.T. / B.E. F.A.S.T.)
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