How to recognize a stroke (BE-FAST)
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
Time lost is brain lost. BE-FAST helps anyone spot a stroke.
Step by step
B: balance
Sudden loss of balance or coordination. [1]
E: eyes
Sudden vision loss or double vision. [1]
F: face
Ask for a smile: one side droops. [1]
A: arm
Both arms up: one drifts down. [1]
S: speech
Slurred or wrong words. [1]
T: time
Call now, record time last known well, check glucose, prealert the stroke center. [1]
Common errors
- Waiting to see if it passes.
- Time found instead of last known well.
- No glucose.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
Facts and steps follow NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines; NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.