Use caution if you think the person might be drunk or under the influence of drugs, since they could react violently if you disturb them. If you don’t think you can approach safely, call emergency services and explain the situation. Wait nearby until help arrives.
Say something like, “Are you all right?” A person is considered “unresponsive” if they don’t move or react in any way to stimulation from the outside, such as sound, touch, or strong smells. [3] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Ask someone else to assist you if possible. For example, they can make the call or go look for help while you stay with the person and attempt CPR. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
If there’s something in the airway but you can’t remove it quickly and easily, move on to doing chest compressions. Chest compressions can help dislodge material stuck in the airway.
If the person is gasping, choking, or breathing irregularly, this means they are alive but not breathing normally. If the person is not breathing or if their breathing is abnormal, you’ll need to perform CPR.
If you haven’t been trained in CPR, stick to performing chest compressions (hands-only CPR). If the person has a pulse, only give them rescue breaths. Give them 10 rescue breaths per minute and check their pulse every 2 minutes. Aim to push their chest down to a depth of between 2 and 2. 4 inches (5. 1 and 6. 1 cm). Try to do 100-120 compressions per minute. Don’t stop doing chest compressions until help arrives or the person starts moving and breathing on their own. If you’re trained in CPR, check the person’s airway after every 30 chest compressions and give them 2 rescue breaths before going back to chest compressions.
Remember to look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing. To check for a pulse, lift the person’s chin and feel for their Adam’s apple (or voice box). From there, slide your fingers into the groove between the Adam’s apple and one of the large tendons on either side of the neck. If the person has a pulse, you should feel a rhythmic throbbing under your fingers.
If you can’t hear the sound of the person’s blood flowing into their artery after deflating the cuff, they may have died.
Keep in mind that there are other things that can also cause unresponsive pupils, such as certain types of drugs or damage to the nerves that control pupil and eye movement. Don’t assume the person is dead unless you also see other signs, like a lack of breathing or pulse.
Sudden incontinence can also be a sign of other conditions, such as nerve damage or a stroke.
