When faced with an unresponsive individual, assessing their condition guides immediate, life-saving actions. This initial assessment is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis but rather a rapid evaluation designed for a layperson. Before approaching anyone in distress, always ensure the surrounding environment is safe to prevent further harm to yourself or the person needing help. Your primary goal is to gather enough information to determine if emergency medical services are needed.
Assessing Responsiveness and Initial Indicators
The first step when encountering someone who appears unresponsive is to try to get a response. Gently tap their shoulder and speak loudly, asking, “Are you okay?” or “Can you hear me?” Observe for any movement, sounds, or opening of the eyes in response to your voice or touch. If there is no response, the person is considered unresponsive, indicating a potentially serious medical emergency.
As you attempt to rouse them, quickly scan for any visible cues about their condition. Note any unusual skin color, such as paleness or a bluish tint around the lips or fingertips, which could suggest a lack of oxygen. Look for obvious signs of injury or bleeding. Some individuals may wear a medical alert tag, which could offer important information about pre-existing conditions like diabetes or allergies.
How to Check for Breathing
After assessing responsiveness, checking for breathing is the next important step. Position yourself close to the person’s mouth and nose to use the “Look, Listen, Feel” method. Look for the rise and fall of their chest or abdomen, indicating air movement. Simultaneously, place your ear near their mouth and nose to listen for breath sounds and feel for exhaled air on your cheek.
Perform this check for no more than 10 seconds. Normal breathing should be regular, quiet, and effortless. Gasping, wheezing, gurgling, or irregular, labored breaths are not considered normal breathing and can indicate a severe problem, such as cardiac arrest. If you are uncertain whether breathing is normal, it is safest to assume it is not.
How to Check for a Pulse
Checking for a pulse can provide additional information about circulation, though it can be challenging for a layperson to accurately assess. The most accessible sites for checking a pulse are the carotid artery in the neck and the radial artery in the wrist. To locate the carotid pulse, place two fingers (index and middle fingers, not your thumb) in the soft groove on either side of the windpipe, just beside the trachea.
For the radial pulse, place the pads of your index and middle fingers on the wrist, just below the base of the thumb, on the palm-up side. Gently apply pressure until you feel a pulse. Feel for the pulse for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. If no pulse is detected or if you are unsure, proceed as if there is no pulse.
Immediate Actions and When to Call for Help
Regardless of your findings, if someone is unresponsive, immediate action is needed. The most important step is to call emergency services, such as 911 in the United States, without delay. Clearly explain the situation to the dispatcher, providing details about the person’s responsiveness, breathing, and any other observed indicators. Staying calm and providing accurate information assists emergency responders in preparing for the situation.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, or if you cannot detect a pulse, immediate initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often advised if you are trained. The primary goal of these checks is to inform immediate action, not to declare a medical state. Continue to follow any instructions provided by the emergency dispatcher until professional medical help arrives.