LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Common causes of loss of consciousness are:

• drunkenness
• a hit on the head (getting knocked out)
• shock
• fits
• poisoning

• fainting (from fright, weakness, low blood sugar, etc.)
• heat stroke
• stroke
• heart attack

If a person is unconscious and you do not know why, immediately check each of the following:

1. Is he breathing well? If not, tilt his head way back and pull the jaw and tongue forward. If something is stuck in his throat, pull it out. If he is not breathing, use mouth-to-mouth breathing at once.

2. Is he losing a lot of blood? If so, control the bleeding .

3. Is he in shock (moist, pale skin; weak, rapid pulse)? If so, lay him with his head lower than his feet and loosen his clothing.

4. Could it be heat stroke (no sweat, high fever, hot, red skin)? If so, shade him from the sun, keep his head higher than his feet, and soak him with cold water (ice water if possible) and fan him.

How to position an unconscious person:

If there is any chance that the unconscious person is badly injured:

It is best not to move him until he becomes conscious. If you have to move him, do so with great care, because if his neck or back is broken, any change of position may cause greater injury (see p. 100).

Look for wounds or broken bones, but move the person as little as possible. Do not bend his back or neck.