Unconscious Person — What to Do

The Primary Survey — DRABC

When you find someone unconscious, follow the DRABC approach:

1. D

   Danger

   Check the scene is safe before approaching. Is there a gas leak? Live electricity? Traffic? Your safety comes first. Do not put yourself at risk.

2. R

   Response

   Check if the person is responsive. Shout their name and gently tap their shoulders. If no response — call for help immediately.

3. A

   Airway

   Open the airway: tilt the head back gently with one hand on the forehead and lift the chin with two fingers of your other hand. This moves the tongue from the back of the throat.

4. B

   Breathing

   Look, listen and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds. Is the chest rising? Can you hear breathing? Can you feel breath on your cheek? Occasional gasps are not normal breathing.

5. C

   Circulation / CPR

   If the person is not breathing normally, start CPR immediately and call (or shout for someone to call) 999.

If Unconscious and Breathing — Recovery Position

If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position to keep the airway open and prevent choking if they vomit:

1. Kneel beside the person
2. Place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to their body, elbow bent, palm facing upward
3. Bring the far arm across their chest and hold the back of their hand against their near cheek
4. With your other hand, pull up the far knee so the foot is flat on the floor
5. Keeping their hand against their cheek, pull on the knee to roll them towards you onto their side
6. Adjust the upper knee so the hip and knee are at right angles
7. Tilt the head back gently to keep the airway open
8. Check breathing regularly until help arrives. Call 999 if you have not already done so.

If Unconscious and NOT Breathing — CPR

Start CPR immediately. The 999 operator will guide you over the phone.

1. Lay the person on a firm flat surface
2. Kneel beside their chest
3. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest (lower half of the breastbone)
4. Place your other hand on top and interlock fingers, keeping fingers off the chest
5. With arms straight, press down firmly by 5–6cm
6. Release the pressure fully, then press again — 30 times at 100–120 per minute (beat of "Stayin' Alive")
7. If trained in rescue breaths: give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions
8. If not trained in rescue breaths: continue hands-only CPR — 30 compressions continuously
9. Continue until paramedics arrive, the person starts to breathe normally, or you are physically unable to continue

Defibrillators (AEDs)

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many public places and some residential settings. They are designed to be used by anyone — they give clear voice instructions and will not shock a person who does not need it.

If someone can get an AED while you perform CPR — send them immediately. Find your nearest AED at thecircuit.uk.

Common Causes of Unconsciousness

Knowing the likely cause can help paramedics:

• Cardiac arrest — no pulse, not breathing
• Stroke — may have facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty
• Seizure — may have jerking movements or be in postictal phase
• Hypoglycaemia (diabetic hypo) — particularly in known diabetics
• Fainting (vasovagal syncope) — usually brief loss of consciousness from which the person recovers quickly
• Head injury — from a fall or collision
• Overdose or poisoning

Tell the 999 operator what you know about the person's medical history — it helps paramedics plan their response.