Tina Libby, age 12, of Damps, Ids., for her question:

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE FAINT?

When a person faints, there is a temporary loss of consciousness. Fainting is caused by a rapid and great fall in blood pressure which results in a too small supply of blood to the brain. Usually the rapid fall in blood pressure is caused by a mental or a physical shock.

When a person starts to faint, he or she becomes pale, begins to perspire and then loses consciousness and collapses. The person also has a weak pulse and does not breathe in a regular fashion.

Fainting should be treated by letting the person lie stretched out with the head slightly lower than the body. The person's clothing should be loosened and then the victim should be given plenty of air and room.

Sometimes a whiff of ammonia to the nostrils is helpful to a fainting victim. Some suggest hot applications placed on the back and legs or the wiping of the face with a cloth soaked in cool water.