Unresponsiveness and death are distinct states, and recognizing the difference can guide immediate action in a serious situation. An unresponsive person is experiencing a medical emergency that demands immediate attention, even though they may still be alive.
What Unresponsive Means
Unresponsiveness describes a state where an individual does not react to any external stimuli, such as sounds or touch. This differs from deep sleep, where a person might still react to a loud noise or a firm shake. To check for responsiveness, you can try shouting their name loudly and gently but firmly shaking their shoulders.
This state indicates an underlying medical issue that has severely affected brain function or the central nervous system. Common causes include a severe head injury, a stroke, an epileptic seizure, or cardiac arrest.
Checking for Signs of Life
Determining if an unresponsive person is still alive involves quickly checking for normal breathing patterns. The first step is to observe the person for no more than 10 seconds to look for the rise and fall of their chest. Simultaneously, you should listen for the sound of air movement and feel for breath on your cheek.
Normal breathing differs from abnormal gasping breaths, sometimes called agonal breathing. Agonal breaths are irregular, shallow, and may sound like snorting, gurgling, or labored gasps. These are not effective breaths and indicate a severe lack of oxygen, often associated with cardiac arrest, even though the brain may still be attempting to respond. If the person is breathing normally, even if unconscious, they are alive. If there is no breathing, or only agonal gasps, prompt intervention is required.
Immediate Steps to Take
The most important first action when encountering an unresponsive person is to immediately call emergency services, such as 911 or your local equivalent. Providing precise location details and a brief description of the situation will help responders arrive quickly.
If the person is not breathing normally or is only making agonal gasps, begin chest compressions immediately. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps circulate oxygenated blood to the brain and heart until medical help arrives. Compressions should be delivered hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, in the center of the chest. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available nearby, it should be retrieved and used as soon as possible to potentially restore a normal heart rhythm.
If the unresponsive person is breathing normally, gently roll them into the recovery position. This involves placing them on their side with their head tilted back and their upper leg bent. The recovery position helps keep their airway clear and allows any fluids, such as vomit or saliva, to drain from their mouth, preventing aspiration into the lungs.