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Unconsciousness - First Aid
Alternate Names : Altered Mental Status, Coma - First Aid, Loss of Consciousness - First Aid, Mental Status Change
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First Aid
- Call or instruct someone to call your local emergency number (usually 911).
- Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation frequently. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR
- If the person is breathing, a spinal injury is not suspected, and he is lying on his back, carefully roll him toward you onto his side. Adjust the top leg so that both the hip and knee are bent at right angles. Gently tilt the head back to keep the airway open. If breathing or circulation stops at any time, roll the person back on to his or her back and begin CPR.
- If a spinal injury is suspected, leave the person 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.
- Keep the person warm until medical help is obtained.
- If you witness a person fainting, try to prevent him or her from falling. Lie the person flat on the floor and elevate the feet about 12 inches.
- 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.
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• Definition
• Overview & Considerations
• Causes
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• First Aid
• Do Not
• Call Immediately for Emergency Medical Assistance if
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Diabetes
• Hypoglycemia
Tests & Exams
• Glucose Test
Other Topics
• Alcohol Use
• Consciousness - Decreased
• CPR
• Drowsiness
• Drug Abuse
• Fainting
• Spinal/Neck Injury
Review Date : 8/12/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (02/11/2002).
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