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Unconsciousness - first aid - Treatment

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 where you found them (as long as breathing continues). If the person vomits, roll the entire body at one time to the side. Support the neck and back to keep the 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 they become conscious.

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:

  • Does not return to consciousness quickly (within a minute)
  • Has fallen down or been injured, especially if bleeding
  • Has diabetes
  • Has seizures
  • Has lost bowel or bladder control
  • Is not breathing
  • Is pregnant
  • Is over age 50

Call 911 if the person regains consciousness but:

  • Feels chest pain, pressure, or discomfort, or has a pounding or irregular heartbeat
  • Can't speak, has vision problems, or can't move the arms and legs
  • Reviewed last on: 7/16/2011
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Cooke JL. Depressed consciousness and coma. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 14.

Biros MH, Heegaard WG. Head injury. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 38.

Kothari RU, Crocco TJ, Barsan WG. Stroke. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 99.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional 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. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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