When encountering an individual who is unresponsive but still breathing, it signifies a serious medical event requiring immediate action. This indicates their respiratory and circulatory systems are functioning, but their brain is not processing signals as it should, leading to a loss of consciousness. Recognizing this as a medical emergency is the first crucial step, as prompt and appropriate intervention can significantly influence the outcome. Understanding the correct procedures to follow is vital.
First Actions to Take
The initial response involves precise actions to ensure safety and facilitate rapid medical assistance. Begin by assessing the scene for immediate dangers to yourself or the individual, such as traffic or electrical hazards. Address them if safely possible; your personal safety is paramount before approaching.
After ensuring safety, gently attempt to rouse the person by speaking loudly and lightly tapping their shoulders. Ask, “Are you okay? Can you hear me?” If there is no response to verbal or physical stimuli, they are considered unresponsive.
Immediately call emergency medical services (e.g., 911). Clearly state you have an unresponsive person who is breathing and provide your exact location. If possible, use speakerphone to keep your hands free, allowing you to follow dispatcher instructions while continuing to care for the person.
Next, assess their breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for breaths for no more than 10 seconds. Tilt their head back gently and lift their chin to open the airway. Observe if their chest is rising and falling, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for air movement on your cheek. Normal breathing should be regular and quiet; noisy, irregular, or gasping breaths may indicate a more severe issue or even cardiac arrest, which would require different interventions.
If the person is breathing normally, placing them in the recovery position is a crucial step to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration, which is the inhalation of vomit or fluids into the lungs.
Kneel beside the person and straighten both of their legs.
Take the arm closest to you and extend it straight out from their body at a right angle, with the palm facing upwards.
Bring their other arm across their chest and place the back of their hand against the cheek closest to you, holding it in place.
With your free hand, bend the person’s knee farthest from you so their foot is flat on the floor.
Carefully roll the person onto their side by pulling on the bent knee towards you.
Once on their side, adjust the top leg so it is bent at a right angle, which helps stabilize their position.
Gently tilt their head back to ensure the airway remains open and any fluids can drain freely from their mouth.
If there is a suspected spinal injury, minimize movement and try to keep the spine aligned while still prioritizing airway maintenance.
Potential Reasons for Unresponsiveness
An individual who is unresponsive but breathing can be experiencing a range of underlying medical conditions, each affecting brain function. A layperson’s role is not to diagnose, but to recognize the potential seriousness of the situation. These conditions often lead to an altered mental state, signaling a need for immediate professional medical evaluation.
One common cause is a stroke, which occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain cell damage. Another possibility is a severe head injury, even without visible external trauma, which can disrupt normal brain activity. Seizures can also lead to a temporary state of unresponsiveness after the convulsive phase, known as the post-ictal state.
Metabolic imbalances, such as diabetic emergencies (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia), can also cause unresponsiveness. Drug overdose, whether from prescribed medications or illicit substances, can depress the central nervous system, leading to a profound loss of consciousness. Severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, can also cause circulatory shock and unresponsiveness. Other serious causes include severe infections, internal bleeding, or significant dehydration. These examples highlight the diverse medical issues that can manifest as unresponsiveness, underscoring the critical need for rapid medical intervention.
Providing Care Until Help Arrives
Once initial steps are complete and emergency services are en route, continuous monitoring and supportive care become the focus until professional medical help arrives. Staying with the person and observing their condition is paramount. Regularly check their breathing patterns and responsiveness. Any changes, such as noisy, irregular, or stopped breathing, require immediate re-evaluation and potentially different interventions like CPR.
Beyond monitoring, ensure the person’s comfort and safety. Loosen any tight clothing around their neck or chest that might restrict breathing. Keep them warm with a blanket or coat, but avoid overheating. Do not give them any food, drink, or medication, as they may choke due to their unresponsive state. Do not attempt to shake them or splash water on them to try and wake them up, as this can cause further harm.
Gathering information to relay to paramedics upon their arrival is also very helpful. Note the exact time you found the person unresponsive and any observations you made, such as unusual movements, skin color changes, or the presence of medical alert tags. If you know the person, try to recall any existing medical conditions, known allergies, or medications they might be taking. This information provides paramedics with a more complete picture of the situation, enabling them to provide more targeted and effective care.