A person who cannot be woken, does not respond to voice or touch, and may or may not be breathing normally.
Try to wake them — shout their name loudly and tap their shoulders firmly. If no response, they are unconscious.
Call for help immediately. Shout loudly for anyone nearby. Send someone to find a doctor or call emergency services.
Check if they are breathing — tilt their head back gently, lift the chin, and look for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, feel for air on your cheek. Do this for 10 seconds.
If they are breathing: place them in the recovery position — roll them gently onto their side, bend the upper knee forward to stop them rolling, tilt the head back slightly to keep the airway open.
If they are NOT breathing: begin CPR immediately. Place the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest. Press down hard and fast — 30 compressions, then 2 rescue breaths. Repeat until help arrives.
For rescue breaths: tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose shut, seal your mouth over theirs, and blow steadily for 1 second. Watch for chest rise.
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
Do not leave them alone. Stay until help arrives.
If they vomit, roll them onto their side immediately to prevent choking.
Person is not breathing — begin CPR immediately.
Lips or fingernails are turning blue — airway is blocked or oxygen is failing.
Seizure activity — limbs shaking, eyes rolling back.
Head or neck injury is suspected — extreme care with movement.
Person remains unconscious for more than 2 minutes despite stimulation.
Do not move the person if you suspect a neck or spine injury — only move them if they are in immediate danger.
Do not put anything in their mouth.
Do not try to wake them with cold water, slapping, or shaking violently.
If the person is a child under 1 year, use 2 fingers for chest compressions, not the full hand.
✗ What To Avoid
· Do not administer any medication to an unconscious person by mouth — they cannot swallow safely and may choke
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Oxygen if available at a clinic or health post
· Glucose gel or sugar solution only if low blood sugar is confirmed cause and person can swallow
🏥 Get Professional Help
Unconsciousness is always a medical emergency. Get the person to a hospital immediately. Do not wait to see if they wake up on their own.