Unconsciousness is a state where a person is unresponsive and appears to be in a deep sleep. Unlike normal sleep, they cannot be easily awakened. It always signals an underlying medical emergency, from brief fainting to a coma, requiring immediate attention.
Assessing the Situation and Activating Emergency Services
First, ensure the scene is safe for you and the individual. Scan for hazards like traffic, fire, or unstable structures. Only approach if the environment is safe.
Once the scene is safe, gently approach the person and check for responsiveness. Kneel beside them, speak loudly, asking “Are you okay?” or “Can you hear me?” while gently tapping or shaking their shoulder. For an infant, gently tap the bottom of their foot. No response means the person is unconscious.
Immediately call for emergency medical services (EMS), such as 911, or instruct someone nearby to do so. Provide the dispatcher with your location, the person’s state (e.g., unconscious, not breathing), and any known cause, such as a fall or medical history. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.
Avoid moving the unconscious person unless they are in immediate danger, such as being in the path of traffic or in a burning building. If a spinal injury is suspected, moving the person could cause further harm. Keep them still, supporting their head and neck until EMS arrives. Only move them if essential for safety or life-saving interventions.
Providing Immediate Care
While waiting for EMS, focus on maintaining their airway and monitoring breathing. After checking responsiveness and calling for help, assess normal breathing by looking for chest rise, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for air movement. This should take no more than 10 seconds.
If the person is not breathing normally, or is only gasping, immediately tilt their head back and lift their chin to open the airway. This helps move the tongue away from the throat, a common obstruction. Visually inspect the mouth for any obvious blockages that can be easily removed.
If the unconscious person is breathing normally and there is no suspicion of a spinal injury, place them in the recovery position. This position helps keep the airway open, prevents choking on vomit or fluids, and allows for drainage. To do this, kneel beside the person and straighten their legs.
Extend the arm closest to you straight out, palm up. Bring their other arm across their chest, placing the back of that hand against the cheek closest to you. Bend the leg farthest from you at the knee, foot flat.
While supporting their head and neck, gently roll the person towards you onto their side by pulling on the bent knee. Adjust the upper leg with hip and knee bent at right angles for stability. Ensure their head is tilted slightly back to keep the airway open and that they are stable. Continuously monitor their breathing until medical help arrives.
Crucial Actions to Avoid
Avoid certain actions that can cause harm. Never give the person anything to eat or drink, even if they show signs of regaining consciousness. Their swallowing reflex may be impaired, leading to choking or aspiration.
Do not try to rouse an unconscious person by slapping their face, splashing water on them, or shaking them aggressively. These actions are ineffective and can cause injury or worsen their condition. Gentle verbal and tactile stimulation is sufficient to check for responsiveness.
Do not leave an unconscious person unattended. Their condition can change rapidly, requiring continuous monitoring of breathing and responsiveness. If you are alone and need to call for help, do so quickly and return to the person immediately.
Do not place a pillow or object under the person’s head, as this can obstruct their airway. An open airway is paramount; extra support might push the chin towards the chest, closing the breathing passage.
What Happens Next
Once EMS arrives, provide all relevant information. This includes details about the incident, any known medical conditions, and any medications they might be taking.
Follow dispatcher instructions while help is en route, and cooperate with EMS personnel upon arrival. They may ask you to step back or assist; your calm demeanor helps them work efficiently.
Even if the person regains consciousness before EMS arrives, professional medical evaluation is important. Unconsciousness often signals a serious underlying health issue requiring diagnosis and treatment. Brief unconsciousness, like fainting, can result from dehydration, low blood sugar, temporary low blood pressure, or more serious heart or neurological problems.
Other common reasons include head injuries, severe blood loss, drug overdose, alcohol poisoning, or complications from conditions like diabetes. A medical professional can identify the cause and ensure appropriate care, preventing future incidents or managing ongoing health concerns.