You're at an incident. What could you do to help a casualty who's unconscious?

Related Information

What is unconsciousness?

A person is said to be unconscious when they are unable to react to stimuli and appear to be asleep. They could pass out for just a few seconds, as when someone faints, or they could pass out for a long time. Unconscious people don't react to shaking or loud noises. They might even cease breathing or have a weak pulse. This need urgent emergency assistance. The sooner the person receives emergency first aid, the better their outlook will be.


What warning signs point to the possibility of unconsciousness?

- sudden inability to respond

- slurred speech

- a rapid heart rate

- confusion

- dizziness or lightheadedness


How should first aid be administered?

As soon as you come across someone who appears to be unconscious, make sure they are still breathing. If they’re not breathing, immediately dial 911 or your local emergency services, and get ready to start CPR. If they’re breathing, get them into the recovery position. This lessens the risk of choking and aids in maintaining a clear airway. You can adhere to the guidelines provided below:

- Kneel on the floor next to them.

- Position the arm that is closest to you at a right angle with their body. The hand should be facing upward.

- Position their other hand so that the back of the hand is pressed against the cheek that’s closest to you.

- Bend their knee that is the farthest from you with your free hand. Their foot need to be flat on the floor.

- Pull on the bent knee to help them get onto their side.

- Make sure their top arm is still supporting their head once you've rolled them over.

- Lift their chin and tilt their head back. This aids in clearing their airway.

- Make sure there are no obstructions in their airway.

- Until emergency personnel arrives, keep an eye on their condition and be with them.