For example, “Jim, are you awake? If you can hear me, open your eyes. Jim?”
You can also try gently rubbing their cheek or head/forehead to wake the person up.
Call emergency services if the person is injured, has diabetes, has seizures, has lost control of their bladder or bowels, is pregnant, is over age 50, or is unconscious for more than one minute. If the person wakes up and feels discomfort, pressure, or pain in their chest, or if they have an irregular or pounding heartbeat, then call emergency services. Also call emergency services if the person has vision problems or cannot speak or move their legs.
You should do this if the person is unresponsive for more than a minute, but still breathing and lying on their back. If you think the victim has a spinal injury, do not roll or move them.
Ask them, “How do you feel?” “Can you wiggle your toes and move your fingers?” and “Do you feel any pain or discomfort in your chest?” If the person is unresponsive, then check for a loss of bladder or bowel control, i. e. , incontinence. If incontinence is present, then call emergency services. Unconsciousness is caused by major illness or injury, substance or alcohol use, or choking on an object. Brief unconsciousness, or fainting is caused by dehydration, low blood sugar, temporary low blood pressure, or even serious heart or nervous system problems. [7] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If the person is unable to answer the questions or provides the wrong answers, then this means that a change in mental status has occurred. You will need to call emergency services or a doctor immediately. If you witness the person fainting—collapsing with a brief period of unconsciousness—and exhibiting a change in mental status, the person has chest pain or discomfort, is experiencing pounding or irregular heartbeat, cannot move their extremities, or has vision problems, then seek emergency medical help. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Also examine their chest area to see if it is moving up and down to determine if they are breathing. [11] X Expert Source Marc Kayem, MDSleep Specialist Expert Interview. 24 October 2019. If they are not breathing, then you will need to perform CPR and call emergency services. If you witnessed the person choking on something, then perform abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich Maneuver. [12] X Research source
