| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Unconsciousness is a state of unawareness or loss of consciousness with inability to respond to normal stimuli. |
| Alternative Names | Loss of consciousness - first aid; Coma - first aid |
| Considerations | Being asleep is not the same thing as being unconscious. A sleeping person will respond to loud noises or gentle shaking -- an unconscious person will not. An unconscious person cannot cough or clear his or her throat. This can lead to death if the airway becomes obstructed. |
| Causes | Unconsciousness can be caused by virtually any major illness or injury, as well as substance abuse and alcohol use . Brief unconsciousness (or fainting ) is often caused by dehydration, low blood sugar , or temporary low blood pressure. However, it can also be caused by serious cardiovascular or neurologic illness. |
| Symptoms | Unresponsiveness (does not awaken when spoken to, touched, or otherwise stimulated) Unconsciousness may be brief and temporary ( fainting ) or prolonged Symptoms before or after an unconscious episode may include: Disorientation Light-headedness Palpitations Headache DrowsinessStupor |
| First Aid | Check the victim's airway, breathing, and circulation frequently. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR . If a spinal injury is not suspected and the victim is lying on his or her back, place the victim in the recovery position. To do this, kneel beside the victim, and straighten the legs. Turn his or her face toward you, and pull the victim's near arm out away from their body with the elbow bent at 90 degrees (the "waving goodbye" position). Place the victim's other arm across the chest. Grab the far thigh and pull the leg up towards the victim's body, bending the hip and knee. Holding the far shoulder and thigh, and roll the victim towards you onto his or her side. Adjust the top leg so that both the hip and knee are bent at right angles. Place the top hand under the victim's cheek and gently tilt the head back to keep the airway open. If a spinal injury is suspected, leave the victim as he or she was found (as long as he or she is breathing freely). If spinal injury is suspected and the victim vomits, "log roll" the victim by supporting the neck and spine to keep head position neutral with body position, as you roll the victim onto his or her side. Gently restrain the victim if he or she becomes agitated . Give first aid for convulsions , if necessary. Keep the victim warm until medical help is obtained. If a person faints, try to prevent him or her from falling. Lie the victim down face up on the floor and elevate the feet about 12 inches. Do not place a pillow under the head. If the victim does not regain consciousness right away, place him or her in the the recovery position (described above) and call for medical assistance. If fainting is likely to be due to low blood sugar , have the victim eat or drink something sweet when he or she fully regains consciousness. |
| Do Not | DO NOT give an unconscious victim any food or drink. DO NOT leave the victim alone. DO NOT place a pillow under the head of an unconscious victim. DO NOT slap an unconscious person's face to try to revive him or her. DO NOT throw water in an unconscious person's face to try to revive him or her. |
| Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if | If the victim does not regain consciousness right away, you should call immediately for emergency medical assistance. |
| Prevention | People with known medical conditions, such as diabetes , should always wear a medical alert tag or bracelet. Avoid situations where your blood sugar level gets too low. Avoid standing in one place too long without moving, especially if prone to fainting . If you feel like you are about to faint, lie down or sit with your head bent forward between you knees. |
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