Someone who is unconscious is not sleeping. Rather, an unconscious person is hard to rouse or can't be made aware of his or her surroundings. Unconsciousness is caused by illness, injury, or emotional shock.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many levels of unconsciousness. Some are more serious than others. Levels
include unconscious episodes that are:
Brief. Examples are fainting or
blacking out.
Longer. The victim is incoherent when
roused.
Prolonged. A person in a coma, for example,
can be motionless and not at all aware of his or her surroundings for a very long time.
Causes
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Hypothermia (low body temperature, usually
caused by overexposure to cold temperatures or cold water)
Stroke
Shock
Epilepsy
Heat exhaustion
Diabetic coma
Excessive bleeding
Alcohol abuse
Drug overdose
Poisoning
Head injury/concussion
Low blood sugar
Too fast, too slow, and/or irregular
heartbeats
Heart attack
Medications
Underactive thyroid
Heart valve disease
Look for medic alert information if you find a person unconscious. It could be on a bracelet or a neck chain. It could be in his or her wallet on a card or on a sticker on the back of his or her driver's license. Each of these can identify a known medical condition.
| Is the person not breathing and has no pulse? {Note: See CPR.}  |
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| Has the person stopped breathing? {Note: See Airway and Breathing.} |
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| Does the person have a head or neck injury? {Note: See Head Injuries and Neck/Spine Injuries.} |
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| Is the person bleeding a lot? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding.} |
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With or without a medic alert tag for diabetes: Did the person
have these signs of a diabetic coma before the unconsciousness? Fast and weak pulse Rapid, deep breathing Red, dry, warm skin Fruity breath odor (can smell like grape
juice or nail polish remover) Vomiting |
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| Did the person show these signs of an insulin reaction or low
blood sugar before unconsciousness? Lack of coordination Bad temper, angry outburst Confusion Pale skin Sweating Trembling Seizure {Note: See First Aid for Low Blood Sugar Reaction under Self-Care Tips below.} |
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| Has the person been stung by an insect? {Note: Give shot from "emergency insect sting" kit, if available. Follow other instructions in kit.} |
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| When you shake the person, does he or she not respond after 2
minutes, but is still breathing and has not been seriously injured? {Note: Put the victim in the "Recovery Position". See Recovery Position.} |
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| Has the person fainted or blacked out for no apparent reason? {Note: See Fainting.} |
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First
Aid for Low Blood Sugar Reaction:
Check the victim's
pocket or purse for something sweet. He or she may have a tube of glucose paste (a sweet
source) for emergencies. If so, squeeze some under his or her tongue. Or place a small
amount of sugar under the victim's tongue.
Keep the victim's airway open.
Place victim on his or her side.
Do not give liquids.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99