Finding a person unconscious presents a problem in knowing what is wrong or what has happened to cause unconsciousness. This is a first aid and possible emergency situation if the person will not wake up on command, or is awake but unaware of who or where they are. If you find someone like this who will not wake up, you must assume that there may be a head or neck injury and treat them as the victims of such until you either confirm or know better. If there are other people around, try to ascertain if anyone either knows the victim or knows what happened to them.

Not Necessarily Alcohol Or Drugs

An unconscious person will be completely unaware of their surroundings or of themselves. They will be unable to control their bodily functions and upon waking, may not remember anything that has happened while they were unconscious. A person can move about and so things in an unconscious state called a blackout. While this is usually associated with alcohol or drugs, this is not necessarily the case, as we learn in HIPAA Compliance training.

There are many things that can cause unconsciousness, including the following.

– A stroke
– An epilepsy seizure
– A diabetic coma
– It could be the result of a severe head injury. Head injuries do not always present as a wound.
– A poisoning
– A cardiac event, like a heart attack
– Bleeding of which you have not found the source
– Electrocution
– Shock

Assume Neck Injury And Take Charge

There are several things that you can do for an unconscious person while you wait for emergency services to arrive. However, remember that they may have a head, neck, or spine injury and must be treated as such until emergency services takes over. You are now the protector of the unconscious person and should not let anyone move them unless it is absolutely necessary and then only with your supervision on the proper way to move such an injured person.

– The first thing you need to do is check that the person is breathing and has a pulse. If they are not breathing, and have a pulse, check the airway and begin rescue breathing. If they have no pulse, begin rescue CPR.

– Call for or have someone call for emergency services. If there is a crowd, check if anyone else is trained in first aid and have everyone stand far enough back so that you have room to work and the unconscious person can get plenty of air.

– Unless heat stroke is the suspected problem, keep the person warm.

– If they are awake, while unconscious, and will comply, have the person lay on their back, face up. Keep their head above heart level. Try not to move the person unless absolutely necessary. If already unconscious and laying on their back, check the airway and clear it if necessary by turning them on their side. Make sure their neck is secure and rolls with the body to avoid further neck or spine injury. Move them only if it is necessary to clear the airway. If they are not choking, do not move them.

– Do not allow them to eat or drink

Look For Clues

Look for any kind of identification they may have on their person. Try to ascertain the reason they are unconscious and take any relevant notes to provide to emergency services when they arrive. Anything that you think is important, including the way the person was found or anything found on the body should be given to or told to emergency services personnel.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our Blood Borne Pathogens Training website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: CPR,cardiac,epilepsy seizure,diabetic coma,HIPAA Compliance ,First Aid