• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Unconsciousness - first aid

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Loss of consciousness - first aid; Coma - first aid; Mental status change; Altered mental status

First Aid:

1. Call or tell someone to call 911.
2. Check the person's airway, breathing, and pulse frequently. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR .
3. If the person is breathing and lying on the back, and you do not think there is a spinal injury , carefully roll the person toward you onto the side. Bend the top leg so both hip and knee are at right angles. Gently tilt the head back to keep the airway open. If breathing or pulse stops at any time, roll the person on to his back and begin CPR.
4. If you think there is a spinal injury, leave the person found (as long breathing continues). If the person vomits, roll the entire body at one time to the side. Support the neck and back to keep head and body in the same position while you roll.
5. Keep the person warm until medical help arrives.
6. If you see a person fainting, try to prevent a fall. Lay the person flat on the floor and raise the feet about 12 inches.
7. If fainting is likely due to low blood sugar , give the person something sweet to eat or drink when consciousness returns.

Do Not:

• DO NOT give an unconscious person any food or drink.
• DO NOT leave the person alone.
• DO NOT place a pillow under the head of an unconscious person.
• DO NOT slap an unconscious person's face or splash water on the face to try to revive him.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call 911 if the person is unconscious and:

• Is not breathing
• Does not return to consciousness quickly (within a couple of minutes)
• Fell down or has been injured, especially if bleeding
• Has diabetes
• Is pregnant
• Is over age 50
• Feels chest pain, chest pressure, chest discomfort, or has a pounding or irregular heartbeat
• Can't speak, has vision problems, or can't move the arms or legs
• Has seizures
• Loss of bowel control

References:

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.

• Review Date: 1/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.