How can you tell if a person is unconscious?
An unconscious person cannot be woken up but breathes normally.
First aid for an unconscious person
A person is said to be unconscious when he or she cannot be woken up but is breathing normally.
When helping an unconscious person, the first step is to make sure that they can breathe. There is always a risk of death when a person loses consciousness, as loss of consciousness causes muscles to relax. If the person’s head is in an awkward position, their airways can get blocked by their tongue.
What to do if someone is unconscious:
1
Try to wake them up
Is the person responding at all? Shake them by the shoulders and speak to them in a loud voice.
2
Call 112
If the person is not responding to your voice and you cannot wake them up by shaking, call the emergency number (112).
3
Turn the person onto their back and check whether they are breathing
Open their airways by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. Place your cheek above the person’s mouth to feel for airflow and check whether their chest is moving.
4
Place the person in the recovery position
A person who is breathing normally but cannot be woken up should always be turned onto their side (recovery position).
5
Check that the person’s airways are clear
Once the person is in the recovery position, check that their airways are clear.
6
Monitor the situation
Never leave an unconscious person alone but keep checking on their condition and especially their breathing until professional help arrives.
The most common causes of loss of consciousness are blows to the head, sudden illness and poisoning.