I browse through wikipedia occaisionally for fun and came across this article when resaerching passing out.
Basically a healthy person who is in a standing position for 10-60 minutes runs the rick of fainting. Reason being you have no blood circulation and oxygen cannot get to your brain. This is why people standing at attention in the army or a marching band etc will pass out. People most as risk are those who are in harnesses; parachuting, rock climbing, fall arrest systems.. the list goes on.
If someone is in this position for too long they must be sat down immediately to avoid fainting or after they faint for at least 30 minutes. You can try getting them to move their legs around but after a short period of time this will not work and if they stop, they absolutely will pass out.
Death comes as a result of someone being layed down after passing out if they were suspended or standing for too long. The blood rushing back can cause heart attack and organ failure. Damage and risks may not even show for weeks!
It may not happen to everyone but the risk is there. If it was that prevalent, you would have heard about it before or know.. so yeah. I would say don't worry too much. But is is kinda weird.
And now,an old favorite, the Fainting Goats:
Posted by deanne at June 7, 2008 06:57 AM