Practical Answers for Everyday Independence

What to Do When Someone Is Unconscious

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Category: Health & Safety

What to Do When Someone Is Unconscious

Finding someone unconscious can be frightening. The person cannot answer questions, explain what happened, or tell you what they need. Your first priorities are to protect yourself, check whether the person responds, call for emergency help, and determine whether they are breathing normally.

An unconscious person who is not breathing normally may be in cardiac arrest and needs CPR immediately. An unconscious person who is breathing still has a medical emergency because their airway can become blocked, they may vomit, or their condition may quickly worsen.

Do not wait to figure out why the person became unconscious before calling 911. You can look for clues and provide more information after emergency help is on the way.

What Does Unconscious Mean?

A person is unconscious when they are not awake and cannot be made to respond normally.

They may:

  • Keep their eyes closed
  • Fail to answer when spoken to
  • Not respond when their shoulders are tapped
  • Be unable to follow a simple direction
  • Appear limp or unusually still
  • Make unusual sounds
  • Have abnormal, irregular, or gasping breaths

Unconsciousness is different from ordinary sleep. A sleeping person should usually respond when called loudly or gently tapped. An unconscious person does not respond normally.

Someone may also be only partly conscious. They may mumble, move slightly, open their eyes briefly, or respond inconsistently. This is still a serious change in responsiveness and may require emergency care.

Possible Causes of Unconsciousness

Many different medical problems and injuries can cause unconsciousness, including:

  • Cardiac arrest
  • Stroke
  • Seizure
  • Head injury
  • Low blood sugar
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis or another diabetic emergency
  • Drug overdose
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Choking or another blocked airway
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Serious breathing problems
  • Poisoning or chemical exposure
  • Electric shock
  • Severe bleeding
  • Heatstroke
  • Hypothermia
  • Drowning
  • Serious infection
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Lack of oxygen
  • Fainting

Some causes are immediately visible. Others are impossible to identify without medical testing. Your job is not to diagnose the problem. Your job is to recognize the emergency, protect the person’s airway and breathing, and get qualified help.

Step 1: Make Sure the Area Is Safe

Before approaching, quickly look for dangers such as:

  • Traffic
  • Fire or smoke
  • Electrical wires or equipment
  • Gas or chemical fumes
  • Deep or moving water
  • Violence or weapons
  • Falling objects
  • Unstable structures
  • Drug residue, needles, or hazardous substances

Do not enter an unsafe area and create a second victim. Call 911 and explain the danger.

If the person is touching an electrical source, do not touch them until the power has been disconnected. If chemicals or fumes may be involved, move away from the exposure and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Move an unconscious person only when remaining where they are presents an immediate danger, such as fire, traffic, rising water, or toxic fumes.

Step 2: Check for Responsiveness

Approach the person from the side where they can see you if they begin to awaken.

Speak loudly and clearly:

“Are you okay?”

“Can you hear me?”

Gently tap the person’s shoulders. Do not shake them violently, slap their face, pour water on them, or cause pain in an attempt to wake them.

Look for any meaningful response, such as:

  • Speaking
  • Opening their eyes
  • Following a direction
  • Purposefully moving
  • Reaching toward you

Groaning, twitching, or making an isolated movement does not necessarily mean the person is fully responsive.

If the person does not respond normally, treat the situation as an emergency.

Step 3: Call 911 and Get an AED

Call 911 immediately, or point to a specific person and say:

“You in the blue shirt—call 911 and bring an AED.”

Giving a specific instruction is more effective than calling generally for someone to help.

If you are alone, call 911 yourself. Put the phone on speaker so you can care for the person while answering the dispatcher’s questions.

Tell the dispatcher:

  • Your exact location
  • That the person is unconscious or unresponsive
  • Whether the person is breathing normally
  • What happened, if known
  • The person’s approximate age
  • Whether an AED, naloxone, glucagon, or other emergency medication is available
  • Whether there is bleeding, a seizure, an injury, or a possible overdose

Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. They can guide you through CPR and other emergency care.

Step 4: Check for Normal Breathing

Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface if they are not already positioned that way and movement is necessary to provide CPR.

Look at the chest for movement. Listen for breathing sounds and notice whether air is moving from the nose or mouth. Check for no more than 10 seconds.

Normal breathing should be regular and effective.

Gasping is not normal breathing. A person in cardiac arrest may take occasional snorting, gurgling, or gasping breaths. These are sometimes called agonal breaths. They can be mistaken for signs that the person is still breathing adequately.

According to the American Heart Association, sudden unresponsiveness combined with no normal breathing or only gasping should be treated as cardiac arrest.

A member of the general public should not delay CPR while trying to locate or confirm a pulse. Deciding whether a pulse is present can be difficult, even for trained responders.

If the Person Is Not Breathing Normally

If the person is unconscious and is not breathing or is only gasping:

  1. Call 911 and put the phone on speaker.
  2. Send someone to get an AED if one is available.
  3. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.
  4. Begin CPR immediately.
  5. Use the AED as soon as it arrives.
  6. Continue until the person begins breathing normally, emergency professionals take over, the area becomes unsafe, or you are physically unable to continue.

How to Provide Hands-Only CPR to an Adult or Teen

If you witness an adult or teenager suddenly collapse and you are not trained or willing to give rescue breaths, provide Hands-Only CPR.

Position your hands

  • Kneel beside the person’s chest.
  • Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest.
  • Place your other hand on top.
  • Interlock or lift your fingers so they are not pressing against the ribs.
  • Position your shoulders directly over your hands.
  • Keep your elbows straight.

Give chest compressions

  • Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
  • Compress the chest at least 2 inches for an average adult.
  • Give 100 to 120 compressions each minute.
  • Allow the chest to return to its normal position after every compression.
  • Keep interruptions as short as possible.

The rhythm of a song with approximately 100 to 120 beats per minute can help you maintain the proper pace, but do not delay compressions to find music.

The American Red Cross CPR guidance recommends adult compressions in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, allowing the chest to return fully after each compression.

If you are trained in conventional CPR

If you are trained and willing to provide rescue breaths, follow your training. Conventional adult CPR commonly uses cycles of:

  • 30 chest compressions
  • 2 rescue breaths

Use a protective breathing barrier if one is available, but do not delay CPR while searching for one.

CPR instructions are different for infants and children. Follow your current training and the emergency dispatcher’s instructions. Rescue breaths are especially important when cardiac arrest may have resulted from drowning, overdose, or a breathing problem.

Helpful Resources: Browse CPR & Emergency Response Supplies for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

How to Use an AED

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, analyzes the person’s heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is appropriate. The device will not deliver a shock unless it detects a rhythm that may benefit from one.

When an AED arrives:

  1. Turn it on.
  2. Expose the person’s chest.
  3. Follow the spoken or pictured directions.
  4. Attach the pads as shown.
  5. Make sure no one is touching the person while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm.
  6. Clearly say, “Everyone stand clear.”
  7. Deliver a shock if the AED directs you to do so.
  8. Immediately resume CPR when instructed.
  9. Continue following the AED’s prompts until emergency responders take over.

If more than one person is helping, one person should continue CPR while another prepares the AED. Minimize interruptions to chest compressions.

If the Person Is Breathing Normally

An unconscious person who is breathing normally still needs emergency medical help.

After calling 911:

  • Keep the airway open.
  • Place the person in the recovery position when appropriate.
  • Watch their breathing continuously.
  • Keep them from becoming too cold or overheated.
  • Look for injuries, medical identification, or clues about what happened.
  • Be ready to begin CPR if their breathing stops or becomes abnormal.
  • Do not leave them alone.

The American Red Cross recommends placing an unresponsive but normally breathing person in the recovery position when there are no injuries that prevent safe movement.

How to Use the Recovery Position

The recovery position places an unconscious, breathing person on their side. This helps keep the airway open and allows vomit or other fluid to drain from the mouth instead of collecting in the throat.

To place an adult in the recovery position:

  1. Kneel beside the person.
  2. Straighten both legs if possible.
  3. Place the arm nearest you out to the side.
  4. Bring the other arm across the chest and hold the back of that hand against the cheek nearest you.
  5. Bend the knee farthest from you.
  6. Use the bent knee to gently roll the person toward you onto their side.
  7. Position the upper leg so the hip and knee support the person.
  8. Gently tilt the head back enough to keep the airway open.
  9. Angle the mouth downward so fluid can drain.
  10. Continue checking that the person is breathing normally.

Do not press on the front of the neck or place anything underneath the neck that may close the airway.

If you cannot safely place the person in the recovery position, keep the airway open and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.

What If a Neck or Back Injury Is Possible?

Suspect a head, neck, or back injury if the person:

  • Fell from a height
  • Was involved in a vehicle crash
  • Was struck in the head
  • Was injured while diving
  • Was involved in a sports collision
  • Has visible injuries to the head or neck
  • Is found unconscious after an unexplained accident

Avoid unnecessary movement. However, breathing and an open airway take priority over a possible spinal injury.

If the person is breathing normally and their airway is clear, leave them in the position found unless the area is unsafe or the dispatcher tells you to move them.

If the person vomits, has fluid blocking the airway, or cannot breathe adequately in their current position, they may need to be carefully rolled onto their side. If other people are available, work together to keep the head, neck, and back as aligned as possible.

If the person is not breathing normally, place them on their back and begin CPR. Do not withhold lifesaving care because of concern about a possible spinal injury.

If the Person Vomits

An unconscious person can choke on vomit because they cannot cough or swallow normally.

If the person vomits while breathing:

  • Turn them onto their side.
  • Allow the vomit to drain out.
  • Wipe away material that is clearly visible around the mouth.
  • Do not blindly sweep your fingers inside the mouth.
  • Continue monitoring their breathing.

If the person vomits during CPR:

  • Turn them briefly onto their side.
  • Clear visible material from the mouth.
  • Return them to their back.
  • Resume CPR immediately.

Tell emergency responders if the person vomited and whether there was blood, medication, food, or another unusual substance present.

If an Opioid Overdose Is Possible

Signs that may suggest an opioid overdose include:

  • Unconsciousness or inability to awaken
  • Very slow, irregular, or absent breathing
  • Gurgling, choking, or snoring-like sounds
  • Very small pupils
  • Pale, gray, or bluish skin, lips, or fingernails
  • Drug containers, needles, or other evidence nearby

If an overdose is possible:

  1. Call 911.
  2. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing normally.
  3. Give naloxone if it is available and you know how to use it.
  4. Follow the product instructions and the dispatcher’s directions.
  5. Use an AED when available.
  6. Stay with the person.

Naloxone will not harm someone if opioids are not the cause of their condition. However, giving naloxone does not replace CPR or emergency medical care.

Be cautious around loose powders, needles, and unknown substances. Avoid touching them with bare hands.

If Low Blood Sugar Is Possible

A person experiencing severely low blood sugar may become confused, have a seizure, or lose consciousness.

If the person is unconscious or cannot swallow safely:

  • Do not give food or drink.
  • Do not place glucose gel, candy, honey, or another substance in their mouth.
  • Call 911.
  • Use prescribed glucagon if it is available and you know how to use that specific product.
  • Place the breathing person on their side because glucagon may cause vomiting.
  • Begin CPR if they stop breathing normally.

Even if the person awakens after glucagon, they still need emergency medical evaluation.

If a Seizure Occurs

If the unconscious person begins having a seizure:

  • Move dangerous objects away.
  • Protect their head with something soft if possible.
  • Do not hold them down.
  • Do not put anything in their mouth.
  • Do not give them food, water, or medication by mouth.
  • Time the seizure.
  • Watch their breathing.
  • Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

After the seizure ends, place the person on their side if they are breathing normally and no injury prevents movement. Begin CPR if they are not breathing normally.

If Serious Bleeding Is Present

If the person is bleeding heavily:

  • Call 911.
  • Wear gloves if available.
  • Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with gauze, cloth, or clothing.
  • Do not repeatedly remove soaked material to check the wound.
  • Add more material on top and continue pressure.
  • Use a tourniquet for life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg if one is available and you have been trained or the dispatcher instructs you.
  • Continue checking the person’s breathing.

If both CPR and bleeding control are needed and multiple people are present, have one person perform CPR while another controls the bleeding.

Do Not Give an Unconscious Person Anything by Mouth

Never give an unconscious or poorly responsive person:

  • Water
  • Food
  • Candy
  • Medication
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Salt
  • Glucose gel
  • Activated charcoal
  • Any home remedy

The person may be unable to swallow and could choke or inhale the substance into their lungs.

Do not try to make the person vomit. Do not place your fingers in their mouth unless you can clearly see an object that can be removed easily without pushing it deeper.

Do Not Leave the Person Alone

An unconscious person’s condition can change quickly.

While waiting for emergency responders:

  • Watch the chest for normal movement.
  • Listen for changes in breathing.
  • Keep the airway open.
  • Check for renewed responsiveness.
  • Keep the person at a comfortable temperature.
  • Do not allow them to stand or walk if they awaken.
  • Reassure them in a calm voice.
  • Be prepared to begin CPR.
  • Note the time of any changes.

Even if the person appears unable to hear you, speak calmly and explain what you are doing.

If the Person Wakes Up

Do not assume the emergency is over simply because the person regains consciousness.

Encourage them to remain lying down or seated. Do not let them drive, walk away alone, or immediately resume normal activity.

Ask simple questions:

  • What is your name?
  • Do you know where you are?
  • What happened?
  • Are you having pain?
  • Do you have diabetes, seizures, heart problems, or allergies?
  • Did you take any medication, alcohol, or drugs?
  • Did you fall or hit your head?

Watch for:

  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Weakness on one side
  • Chest pain
  • Severe headache
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Trouble staying awake
  • Unusual behavior
  • Another loss of consciousness

Do not give food or drink until the person is fully alert and able to swallow safely. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Look for Helpful Information

Without delaying care, look for information that may help emergency responders:

  • Medical identification bracelet or necklace
  • Emergency information card
  • Medication list
  • Glucose monitor or insulin pump
  • Glucagon or naloxone
  • Prescription bottles
  • Inhaler
  • Evidence of a fall or injury
  • Signs of bleeding
  • Alcohol or drug containers
  • Chemical containers
  • A note or message indicating what happened

Do not search through the person’s belongings more than necessary to locate emergency information.

Do not clean up medications, containers, vomit, or other evidence before responders arrive unless leaving it creates an immediate hazard.

Information to Give Emergency Responders

Be prepared to tell responders:

  • When the person was last seen awake and acting normally
  • When you found them
  • Whether you witnessed the collapse
  • Whether they were breathing normally
  • Whether CPR was performed
  • Whether an AED delivered a shock
  • Whether naloxone or glucagon was given
  • Whether they had a seizure or vomited
  • Whether they fell or may have hit their head
  • Any known medical conditions
  • Any medications, drugs, alcohol, or chemicals that may be involved
  • How the person’s condition changed while you waited

If an AED was used, leave its pads attached unless emergency responders tell you to remove them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When someone is unconscious:

  • Do not assume they are sleeping.
  • Do not delay calling 911 while trying to identify the cause.
  • Do not shake or slap them.
  • Do not throw water on them.
  • Do not give anything by mouth.
  • Do not place a pillow under the head of someone who needs CPR.
  • Do not mistake gasping for normal breathing.
  • Do not spend time trying to find a pulse if you are not trained.
  • Do not sit the person upright.
  • Do not leave them alone.
  • Do not move them unnecessarily when a spinal injury is possible.
  • Do not withhold CPR because you are afraid of hurting them.
  • Do not stop CPR simply because the AED says no shock is advised.
  • Do not let the person drive after regaining consciousness.

A Simple Emergency Checklist

When someone is unconscious:

  1. Check the area for danger.
  2. Tap the person’s shoulders and call to them.
  3. Call 911 and get an AED.
  4. Check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
  5. If they are not breathing normally or are only gasping, begin CPR.
  6. Use the AED as soon as it is available.
  7. If they are breathing normally, protect the airway and use the recovery position when appropriate.
  8. Do not give anything by mouth.
  9. Watch their breathing continuously.
  10. Stay with them until emergency professionals take over.

A fast response can make a lifesaving difference. You do not have to perform every step perfectly. Calling 911, beginning CPR when needed, using an AED, and following the dispatcher’s directions are the most important actions you can take.

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Important Health & Safety Notice

The information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes only. Independence Answers is not a medical provider, and this content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or supervision. Always follow the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition, take medication, or are unsure whether an action is safe for you.

Do not ignore or delay seeking professional care because of something you read here. If you believe someone may be experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.