If the person is unconscious but still
breathing
, put them into the recovery position with their head lower than their body and call an ambulance immediately. Continue watching the patient to ensure they don't stop breathing and continue to breathe normally.
What do you do when someone is unresponsive but breathing?
- Check their breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths. …
- Move them onto their side and tilt their head back. …
- Call 999 as soon as possible.
What do you do when someone is unconscious?
Call or tell someone to
call 911
. Check the person's airway, breathing, and pulse frequently. If necessary, begin CPR. If the person is breathing and lying on their back, and you do not think there is a spinal injury, carefully roll the person toward you onto their side.
How long can someone be unconscious?
It depends on the severity of the injury. If you lose consciousness briefly, and suffer a concussion, 75 to 90 percent of people will fully recover in a few months. But severe damage to the brain can cause unconsciousness
for days, weeks, or even longer
.
What to do if a patient is unresponsive?
If someone is unresponsive, you should shout for
help and dial 999
. Tell the call handler if you suspect that the victim has COVID-19. Make sure an ambulance is on its way. Check for a response, but do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the patient's mouth.
How do you wake up someone who is unconscious?
- Tilt the person's head back and lift their chin to open up the airway. …
- Pinch the person's nose closed and cover their mouth with a CPR face mask, creating an airtight seal. …
- Give two 1-second breaths and watch for their chest to rise.
What is the first thing you should do if a person is unconscious and not breathing?
- Check for breathing, coughing, or movement.
- Make sure that the airway is clear.
- If there is no sign of breathing or circulation, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Continue CPR until either help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own.
What happens when a person is unresponsive?
When a person is unresponsive,
their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe
. Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward. If they are not breathing, their chest and stomach will not be moving and you will not hear or feel their breaths.
How do you position a person who is unresponsive but vomiting?
If a person is unconscious, or non-responsive but breathing, they should be placed
in the recovery position while waiting for help to arrive
(see How to help someone who has taken a drug). If they are left lying on their back they could suffocate on their vomit or their tongue could block their airway.
Do you feel pain when unconscious?
The unconscious person may still feel pain as they did when they were awake
. For this reason pain medication will continue to be administered but perhaps by another method such as the subcutaneous route (through a butterfly clip in the stomach, arm or leg).
Can someone unconscious hear you?
Even if someone is unconscious,
they may still be able to hear or feel you
. If you are worried that they are distressed or in pain, speak to their doctor or nurse.
Can an unconscious person cry?
A
comatose patient
may open his eyes, move and even cry while still remaining unconscious. His brain-stem reflexes are attached to a nonfunctioning cortex. Reflex without reflection. Many professionals speak of this condition as a ”persistent vegetative state.
What causes a patient to be unresponsive?
Unconsciousness can be caused by
nearly any major illness or injury
. It can also be caused by substance (drug) and alcohol use. Choking on an object can result in unconsciousness as well. Brief unconsciousness (or fainting) is often a result from dehydration, low blood sugar, or temporary low blood pressure.
Can an unresponsive patient hear?
Twenty-five percent of all unconscious patients can hear
, understand, and emotionally respond to what is happening in their external environment. However, because of their medical condition, they are incapable of moving or communicating their awareness.
How do you assess an unresponsive patient?
For the unresponsive medical patient perform
the rapid medical assessment
. If the patient is or STABLE, perform the appropriate focused physical exam (for the medical pt. perform the focused physical exam; for trauma patient perform the focused trauma assessment.) Re-consider the mechanism of injury.
What is your unconscious?
The unconscious mind is
a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories
that are outside of our conscious awareness. The unconscious contains contents that are unacceptable or unpleasant, such as feelings of pain, anxiety, or conflict.
