Q&A for How to Pretend to Faint

So the trick is to make your act look as natural and gradual and not over-the-top dramatic. You could start by looking dazed, like you are losing focus or feeling dizzy. You could blink slowly or let your eyelids flutter as if you are fighting sleep. Then let your body go limp, and try to move in a controlled manner so that you don't really hurt yourself. Fall slowly, perhaps reaching for something as you go down. Do not tense those muscles when you are falling down; just lie there for that little moment on the ground, motionless, as if you're completely out.

If you have successfully tricked people into thinking that you have fainted, people will get the nurse, not the principal. if you are discovered to be faking, then you will most likely be disciplined, but probably not by the principal. A faint, even if it was faked, is not really a criminal offense, and the principal likely has better things to do.

Yes! You should continue to breathe, otherwise you would be dead. When you are unconscious, your breathing becomes shallow; you don't stop breathing altogether.

Someone will probably call an ambulance if you don't "wake up" within a few minutes. A medically trained person will know that you're faking it, so if an ambulance does come to pick you up and they find out it's just a prank, it will probably be treated like prank calling 911. People may be mad at you, lose trust in you, and there may be other unpleasant repercussions. (Tip: Don't stay out for more than 20 seconds.)

You won't be pretending anymore. You still should try to fall safely.

Hold your hand over your chest with slightly widened eyes. Then let your eyes flutter a few times before actually fainting. (Be sure not to seem too dramatic or rehearsed.)

Breathe shallowly through your nose, and try not to move your chest so much. It might help if you leave your mouth open a little bit as well.

Yes. Breathe shallowly through your nose, and don't move your chest too much.

It is not safe to faint for longer than about 20 seconds. If you are out for more than that, emergency services should be called.

Don't do it when you around any teachers, or do it with lots of kids around, so they crowd and the teacher can't get through or get a friend to help.

One way to get a good idea of what fainting looks like is to check out videos of people fainting for real, Use what you see to practise at home and record yourself while doing so. In, time you will have perfected your fake faint.

Breathing rates differ when you are awake versus asleep. Asleep, you breathe much slower and rhythmically. You can be visually convincing, but as soon as the stethoscope comes out, the truth will be known.

Just keep a blank expression on your face. You don't necessarily have to close your eyes for it to look authentic.

Fall on one knee to the side, then use your arm for support so that you don't hit your head.

When you fall, try to keep complete control of your legs. Land on your knees, and then fall either onto your stomach or your side. Don't land on your arm or your hands, and keep your legs bent while on the floor. Don't forget to go completely limp once you're on the ground.

Yes! You should continue to breathe. It's dangerous to try to hold your breath, and even when someone faints for real, they continue to breathe.

If you can stop yourself from falling, do it so you don't squash them, then pretend you're still feeling dizzy but don't faint yet. Wander around for a few more seconds until you're a little further away from that person and then do your fake faint.

Do it before you can change your mind, otherwise there is no way you will be able to get it done. Just say to yourself, "Get it over with," and then do it.

Do it at a friend's house if you are pulling a prank on them. Do it at school or work if you want it to be public.

Drop slowly. You should drop slowly so that way, people will think you fainted like a sculpture.

Assuming someone nearby knows how, they will begin CPR in an attempt to resuscitate you, and hopefully they will also call 911 so emergency personnel can come and help if needed.

Act like you don't know what happened. Don't just say anything, just act more tired than normal (or weak).

You would be in a coma if you were unconscious for that long, in which case you would require immediate medical attention.

No. When you fall, your body goes completely limp (sometimes though, people fall flat forward/backward and that's usually from prolonged standing/locked knees). However, right before fainting, you might fumble for something to steady yourself on, if your fainting spell is only mild (namely, you barely fall or you just stay unconscious for a couple of seconds).

Tell them a lie. Tell them you've been feeling dizzy all morning and that you were dehydrated and didn't eat anything since last night.

They normally wouldn't do that right away. If they do, very slowly roll onto your stomach. Then push yourself into a seated position, grab your side and your head and begin to ask for water.

When you faint, your mind is unconscious. It's basically the same as being asleep. It's even possible to dream during a faint.

Crouch down until you are in as low a squat as possible. Gently roll yourself down onto your butt, letting your feet fly out in front of you. From there, lean yourself back until you are flat on the ground, OR roll yourself onto your side, being careful not to end up in a position that will be painful to hold (such as lying on your tailbone). Practice all this VERY slowly in the beginning so that you do not rush and hurt yourself. Your head should be the last thing to touch the ground. This may sound like it won't look real, but when you are able to put it all together as a fluid motion, it will look very realistic.

Imagine looking down at your nose. Take deep breaths and relax.

Yes, because orthostatic hypotension includes blood pressure dropping while lying down.